Fort Lauderdale Emergency Protective Order Attorney

A restraining order can take on various forms, one of which is an Emergency Protective Order. An Emergency Protective Order (EPO) can be requested by the victim of domestic violence, stalking, or harassment in order to prevent any further threat. If a warrant for arrest is put into effect or an arrest is made, a police officer may request an Emergency Protective Order on behalf of the victim. The grounds for an emergency protective order include, but are not limited to, spousal abuse, child abuse, and elder abuse.

How an EPO Affects You

An Emergency Protective Order can be an effective way to increase the safety of a domestic violence victim. The alleged abuser (respondent) will be legally prohibited from contacting the victim (petitioner) based upon what is specified in the order by the court. Forms of contact that could be prohibited include, but are not limited to, texting, calling, emailing, and face-to-face contact. An EPO can be issued to protect the victim as well as other family and household members so the alleged abuser would be prevented from having even indirect contact. Finally, an Emergency Protective Order gives "possession" of a shared residence to the victim. This means that the alleged abuser will have to stay away from the residence and the victim can stay there. This is only temporary and does not affect any other legal rights.

An alleged abuser is not given the opportunity to defend his/herself at an Emergency Protective Order hearing; therefore an EPO is not considered evidence of any actual wrongdoing by an alleged abuser. Its intention is to provide a means for protection of health and safety in an emergency. The EPO lasts 72 hour from the time it is issued. It is important to obtain a Fort Lauderdale domestic violence lawyer if you have been served with one to ensure your rights are protected. Restraining orders are public record and can affect the way you are perceived in the future by employers and may restrict your civil rights.

If you have questions about an emergency protective order or need help fighting one, contact a Fort Lauderdale emergency protective order defense lawyer today.