A Restraining Order Against You For Domestic Violence Can Derail Your Life
By David J. Glass
In Episode 5 of Season 8, Host Glass and guest, Mark Geragos, discussed life-altering consequences of someone who engages in Domestic Violence. A restraining order is one of them. Below is a LookingGLASS entry that soberly spells out the effects of having one if the court orders one against you.
Here are some of them:
Legal Restrictions
- Proximity Limitations: As the restrained person, you may be prohibited from coming within a certain distance of the petitioner’s home, workplace, or other specified locations.
- Communication Bans: Direct or indirect contact with the protected person may be forbidden. This includes phone calls, messages, emails, and social media interaction.
- Firearm Restrictions: In many jurisdictions, people under a restraining order are not allowed to own or possess firearms.
- Temporary Custody Orders: A restraining order might temporarily modify custody arrangements to protect the children involved.
Personal and Professional Impacts
- Employment: A restraining order can affect current employment and future job prospects, especially for positions requiring background checks.
- Housing: Some landlords may refuse to rent to people with restraining orders against them.
- Reputation: The social stigma attached to a restraining order can harm your personal relationships and community standing.
Legal Consequences
- Record of Order: A restraining order becomes part of the public record, which can have lasting effects on your personal and professional life.
- Potential Criminal Charges: Violating a restraining order is a criminal offense that can lead to arrest, fines, and even imprisonment.
With all that can happen to you if you have a domestic violence restraining order entered against you, it just doesn’t make sense to ever make threats or engage in hurtful behavior against an intimate partner.