A protection order violation (VPO) is one of the charges Weld County prosecutors take seriously, and for good reason. These cases often involve allegations of ongoing harassment, intimidation, abuse, or simply not following a court order. If you’ve been accused of Violating a Protection Order in Greeley or elsewhere in Weld County, here’s what you should understand about how the charge works.
What Counts as a Protection Order? A Greeley Criminal Defense Attorney Explains
Protection orders in Colorado come in several forms, including civil protection orders, restraining orders issued in domestic relations cases, and mandatory criminal protection orders that are automatically put in place once someone is charged with certain offenses, such as Domestic Violence. Once a protection order is issued, it typically restricts contact, which can include in-person contact, phone calls, texts, social media messages, or contact through a third party.
How a Protection Order Violation Is Charged in Milliken and Johnstown
Violating a Protection Order is a criminal offense in Colorado, regardless of whether the underlying case that led to the order was civil or criminal. A first violation is typically charged as a class 2 misdemeanor. However, the charge can be elevated to a class 1 misdemeanor if the protection order was issued in a criminal case, involves an act of Domestic Violence, or if the person has prior violation convictions.
Weld County Protection Order Violation Lawyer: Even Minor Contact Can Lead to Violation of a Protection Order Charges
One of the most important things to understand about these cases is how broadly “violation” can be interpreted. A single text message, a social media comment, showing up at a shared location, or even contact initiated by the protected party can result in charges against the restrained person. Weld County law enforcement and prosecutors generally treat any contact prohibited by the order as a potential violation, regardless of the circumstances surrounding it.
Why VPO Charges Carry Extra Weight
Protection Order Violations often arise in the context of domestic disputes, and Weld County prosecutors frequently pursue these cases aggressively. A conviction can affect custody arrangements, firearm rights, and future protection order proceedings, in addition to the direct criminal penalties involved.
Charged with Violation of a Protection Order in Greeley?
Because protection order cases move quickly and carry serious consequences, understanding how the charge was filed and what’s at stake is an important first step. A Greeley criminal defense attorney can help explain the process and what to expect as the case proceeds through the Weld County court system.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Violation of a Protection Order, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009 to schedule a free initial consultation. Together, we can protect your future.
Photo by Kindel Media