The People’s Lawyer

We Understand Family Protective Orders

A family protective order is put in place to prevent domestic violence and protect family members who may be vulnerable to abuse.

Typically, a protective order is in place for 90 to 180 days but can last up to a year if there are aggravating factors, including:

  • Previous protective order violations
  • Stalking or harassment protection order violations
  • Prior convictions for domestic battery or assault

No matter which side you are on, this can be a trying time. Trying to understand the system behind granting or removing orders can be difficult.

Whether you are looking to file a restraining order, or you have been served with an order, we can help you understand what comes next.

We Can Help You File An Order

The protection of you and your family is essential. If you are in an unsafe situation, we can help you file a protective order.

We can help you file a protective order in a variety of circumstances, including:

  • To protect yourself from abuse
  • To protect a minor child
  • To protect a physically or mentally incapacitated person who is not able to file
  • To protect a witness to abuse who is afraid of retaliation

Bottner & Associates, Attorneys at Law can help you figure out what should come next in the process and what will be most effective in your situation.

What If I Have Been Served With Protective Orders?

Getting served with a protective order can be a confusing and frustrating time. It can be especially difficult if the orders are keeping you from seeing your children. It can be challenging to know what to do to be able to get the order removed or to be able to work with it in a way that you can still see your children.

It is critical to understand what is included in the order. Violating a protection order is considered a misdemeanor in West Virginia. Punishments for violating a protection order can consist of jail time and fines from $250 to $2,000.

We can help you understand the road ahead. Bottner & Associates, Attorneys at Law can help you understand what is (and is not) included in the protective order and what you can do to work through it.

Get Legal Support For Your Family

Talking to a lawyer who understands family protective orders is essential. We can help you file an order or help you figure out what comes next if an order has been filed against you. For an appointment in our Charles Town office, contact us online or call 304-885-4265.