Chesterfield Domestic Violence Legal Support

Safeguarding Abuse Victims in Chesterfield, St. Louis, & Nearby Areas

When a person is involved in a volatile relationship, especially when it becomes apparent that the relationship is ending, unfortunately, that person may be subjected to intimidation or violent acts by the other party. The law recognizes that people in situations such as these are often in much greater danger and have a much harder time distancing themselves from the situation than victims in non-domestic situations. Orders of protection are available to protect both children and adults who are victims or potential victims of abuse. If you are looking for a domestic violence lawyer in Chesterfield who you can trust, you can count on our team of professional attorneys. Take a look at our client testimonials and see why we are Chesterfield's trusted domestic violence lawyers.

If you are grappling with a domestic violence issue and need swift legal intervention, our firm can help. Call (636) 552-4841 to speak with our Chesterfield domestic violence lawyers today.

How to File for an Order of Protection in Chesterfield

If you are in an abusive relationship, have been the victim of domestic violence, or you are in the process of divorcing or ending a relationship with someone you fear will be a violent person, then for your protection, the first step you should consider is to request an order of protection from the courts. There are a number of benefits to obtaining an order of protection, but an immediate benefit is that it allows law enforcement officers to take more definitive actions toward a person violating an order of protection.

Understanding the Types of Orders of Protection

There are two different types of orders of protection:

• When a person first petitions for an order of protection, they may be granted an “ex parte” order of protection. These are sometimes called an emergency order of protection or temporary order of protection, and they consist of an initial order issued by the court prior to the Defendant being notified of the petition or the opportunity for a hearing. Typically these are put in place until a hearing can be held for a full order of protection.
• At the hearing, both parties are given an opportunity to explain their stance on the order to the judge, who will usually either deny the petition (terminate the ex parte order) or issue a “Full” order of protection which does not necessarily have the same terms as the ex parte version.