Protective Orders Lawyer in Batavia, Ohio 

When experiencing domestic violence or abuse in a relationship, seeking a protective order can help protect you and your children against legitimate threats. In Ohio, the court may issue a Civil Protection Order (CPO) or Domestic Violence Temporary Protection Order (DVTPO) on the same day you apply, instructing the alleged abuser to stay away from you, your kids, home, workplace, or school. Violating a protective order may result in new charges being filed against the defendant. 

If you’re a victim of domestic violence and are seeking to file a protective order, you need to speak with a highly-skilled Ohio family law attorney for proper guidance. Attorney Douglas A. Ball is dedicated to protecting domestic violence victims and their loved ones against legitimate threats of abuse. He can enlighten you about what a protection order does and guide you through the legal process involved in seeking one. 

Douglas A. Ball Attorney at Law is proud to serve clients across Batavia, Ohio, as well as throughout Batavia, Brown, Hamilton, Warren, and Clermont counties. 

Types of Protective Orders  

A protective order or restraining order is a court injunction preventing someone from physically abusing, sexually abusing, contacting, stalking, harassing, or threatening another person. In Ohio, victims of domestic violence may be able to seek maximum protection by pursuing both civil and criminal actions against their abuser. 

Here are the available types of protective orders in Ohio for domestic violence situations: 

Civil Protection Order (CPO) 

A Civil Protection Order (CPO) is a protective order that is issued by the Domestic Relations Court to protect victims of domestic abuse or violence. The CPO will provide instructions regarding what the alleged abuser can or cannot do. 

Apart from ordering the abuser to stay away from the victim, a CPO can also contain instructions for alimony, child support, child custody, or mandatory counseling. A CPO can last for up to five years from the date it was issued. 

Domestic Violence Temporary Protection Order (DVTPO) 

A Domestic Violence Temporary Protection Order (DVTPO) or Criminal Protection Order (CPO) is a protective order that is often filed in connection with a criminal case. This temporary protection order can help the victim seek limited relief or protection from threats, abuse, or violence. 

In addition, an ex parte order can be issued on the same day you file your protective order petition if the court believes that you need immediate protection from your alleged abuser. The order will last for the duration of the criminal case but won't contain instructions for alimony, child custody, support, or other family law matters. 

What a Protection Order Can Do 

Depending on your unique circumstances, a protective order can: 

• Instruct the abuser to stop any act of violence or abuse 

• Evict the abuser from your house or property 

• Prohibit the abuser from contacting or seeing you or your children 

• Prohibit the abuser from coming close to your school, home, children, or workplace 

• Award temporary custody of your minor children 

• Instruct the abuser to return or release certain property 

• Instruct the abuser to pay spousal support, child support, and other domestic support obligations 

• Instruct the abuser to seek counseling 

• Grant the victim relief that is considered reasonable and fair 

• Provide legal relief if the abuser violates the protective order 

A knowledgeable Ohio protective orders attorney can fully explain what a restraining order can do and help file your petition. 

The Process of Obtaining a Protective Order  

Here are the legal steps to obtain a protective order in Ohio: 

• Hire a knowledgeable attorney to help file your petition. 

• Obtain and complete your protection order forms. 

• Submit the forms to the civil clerk of the court's office in your county. 

• Serve the ex parte order to the alleged defendant or abuser. 

• Schedule a hearing. 

However, if you're seeking a criminal protection order, you must attend the arraignment hearing. At the hearing, the judge will listen to you, review the available evidence, and determine whether to issue the protection order. A skilled lawyer can guide you through the legal steps involved and represent you intelligently at the hearing. 

How an Experienced Family Law Attorney Can Help 

Everyone deserves a happy relationship that is free of abuse or violence. However, when your once-caring partner suddenly becomes violent or abusive, seeking an order of protection may be the right way to protect yourself and your loved ones from potential injuries or harm. An experienced family law attorney can explore your possible legal options and help determine the best course of action. 

For more than 30 years, Douglas A. Ball Attorney at Law has been offering outstanding legal services and protecting individuals against domestic violence and abuse. As your attorney, Douglas can evaluate every aspect of your case and help decide the ideal protection for your personal situation. Also, Attorney Douglas A. Ball can help file your protection orders petition, guide you through the legal steps involved, and help you achieve the protection you deserve.