Attorney for Protection Orders & Restraining Orders in Lynnwood
Defending the Criminally Accused for 25+ Years in Mill Creek
If you've been accused of domestic violence, then you may have been served with a domestic violence protection order, otherwise known as a restraining order. This order may cause you to lose contact with your children and leave your family home, in addition to facing charges for domestic violence.
Does A Restraining Order Go on Your Record?
A harassment order or restraining order goes on your public record and therefore can be seen by potential employers or anybody else who runs a background check on you. A protection order is different from a no-contact order.
A no-contact order is issued by a court at the request of a prosecutor to restrict a criminal defendant from contacting the alleged victim while a criminal action is pending against the defendant, usually for assault.
A protection order has nothing to do with any criminal action and is issued by a court at the request of a person, referred to as the "Petitioner,” against someone that the Petitioner is claiming has assaulted or harassed them. We know that a protection order needs to be taken seriously.
How Long do Restraining ORders stay on your record?
In the State of Washington, restraining orders typically stay on your public record for 3 to 5 years, or the exact date when the order is set to expire. However, if the court issues an order to take the record off, then it may be removed sooner.
If you are no longer subject to a restraining order but still find it listed in public records, you should contact the court clerk who issued the original order and ask them to remove it from your record.
If a permanent protective order is granted by the court, this will remain on your public record indefinitely unless otherwise requested and approved by the court. It’s important to note that even after a restraining or protective order has been removed from your public record, other people may still have access to information about it (like employers conducting background checks).
For more information and guidance in handling a protection order or to learn exactly how long do restraining orders stay on your record, contact us at The Law Offices of Lance Fryrear.
Violating Orders of Protection
It is a crime to knowingly violate the conditions of a Protection Order. Per that order:
- You may be required to stop committing the abuses with which you have been charged with
- You may not be permitted to return home
- You can be ordered to pay child support
- Or you may be required to enter into anger management treatment or counseling
If you violate a protection order in Washington State, penalties can range from up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine. If you continue to violate the protection order, it may become a felony offense, which is much more severe. If you've already violated the order, then penalties may be more serious and you could be charged with a felony!
