It is virtually a guarantee that when someone is charged with a domestic violence related crime a no contact order will be put in place. The order prohibits the restricted party from having contact with the protected party. It is important to understand that any violation of a no contact order is a gross misdemeanor and carries with it very stringent penalties; those arrested face up to 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine.
There is no doubt that following the terms of a no contact order can be challenging, especially when children are involved. It is abundantly important to understand, however, that for those who must pick up children, access personal belongings, or have any reason to be near the restricted person, care must be taken to make other arrangements, and to not willfully violate the order. ‘No contact’ is just that NO CONTACT and includes, but may not be necessarily limited to: (1) in person contact, (2) contact via a computer, a tablet, a telephone, or any other device, (3) social media, and (4) third party contact, like friends, relatives or co-workers.
To avoid any kind of violation, the person ordered to stay away must be mindful of all forms of contact regardless of how trivial it may seem. This is so because a violation can take place even if the person is within close proximity to the restricted person. These restrictions usually remain in place throughout the domestic violence case and may even be extended after the case is resolved. But … what If the protected person contacts a restricted party … that is surely ok, right? In a word – “NO”. Regardless of whether the protected person initiates contact, the restricted party may not respond in like kind … as hard as it may be, the restricted party may not respond to a protected party’s emails, calls, texts, or messages on social media platforms, to do so will be deemed a violation of the no contact order and will lead to additional charges of a willful violation of the order. In like kind, if the person just happens to be in a public place or at a person’s home and the protected person appears, the restricted person must immediately leave without hesitation. Failure to leave immediately will be deemed a violation of the no contact order.
If you (or a loved one) find yourself facing a DV related criminal charge, it is infinitely important to immediately contact and hire a Seattle domestic violence attorney. The Seattle domestic violence attorneys that make up the criminal defense team of SQ Attorneys are highly qualified and reputable Seattle domestic violence lawyers that are dedicated to providing top notch, aggressive representation for those arrested for crime all across Western Washington and the Greater Puget Sound region. The team creates success by working with law enforcement and the prosecuting attorney’s office to ensure that all facts and circumstances related to the criminal allegations are considered in creating the fairest, most equitable and just resolution possible in light of all the surrounding circumstances of the given case. So, whether cited for domestic violence related assault, malicious mischief, property destruction or some other crime, protect yourself … call SQ Attorneys immediately at 206.441.0900.