Protection orders, often called restraining orders, are orders issued by the court that keep an alleged harasser or abuser from contacting their alleged victim. If you have been issued a protection order, you are probably wondering what it requires you to do or not do, and how or whether you should respond to it in any way. Being accused of abuse or harassment and then being prohibited from seeing the person who may be accusing you to try to work things out can be very frustrating and upsetting.

However, violating the terms of a protective order can have serious consequences. You don’t have to figure out how to handle a protection order that has been served on you by yourself. Let one of the experienced criminal defense attorneys from our law firm help you figure out your best way forward once you have been served with a protection order. Call our Colorado Springs office today at 719-451-7469 to let one of our experienced criminal defense attorneys explain your options.

What Types of Protection Orders Are There in Colorado?

The most common type of protection order issued in Colorado is the domestic violence protection order. Other types of protection orders that can be served include protection orders for stalking, sexual assault, physical harm/threats, and abuse of the elderly or at-risk adults.

Although Colorado, unlike other states, does not have a “workplace protection order,” employers can file for a domestic violence protection order in the name of their business if they feel customers or employees are being put at risk by an abuser. Colorado also provides for what is called an “extreme risk” protection order, which serves to remove access to firearms to those who are deemed to be highly likely to harm others, prohibiting the respondent from having firearms in their custody or control and from possessing, purchasing, or receiving a firearm.

What Is The Difference Between Civil and Criminal Protection Orders?

A civil protection order is sought by the victim or victims. A criminal protection order is sought by the courts, and the victim(s) have no say in the matter. Certain domestic violence charges carry mandatory protection order requirements, and in those cases, the protection order is served immediately after the domestic violence arrest, without a hearing, and generally lasts for the duration of the domestic violence criminal case. Those arrested for domestic violence are automatically prohibited from contacting the victim.

Can I Get a Protection Order Dismissed?

Whether you can get a protection order lifted depends on the specifics of your case, but your best move is to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible after being served so that you can get started on figuring out your best options. It is easier to get a temporary restraining order lifted before it becomes permanent than it is to get a permanent restraining order lifted or modified, so time is of the essence. Call our law firm today at 719-451-7469 for a free consultation to learn more about how to handle your protection order.