Texas Protective Orders and Domestic Violence
At Bertolino LLP, our experienced Austin and Houston family law lawyers represent both domestic violence victims and those alleged to have committed acts of violence or abuse within a marriage or cohabitation setting. To learn how we can help resolve your specific domestic violence problem, contact one of our protective order attorneys in Austin or Houston.
For victims of domestic violence who need immediate help in Austin or Houston, we can advise you about obtaining and enforcing temporary protective orders, which are granted by a judge or magistrate without notice to the abuser when a high likelihood of violence, abuse, or continuing danger can be demonstrated. A temporary protective order remains in effect for a period of 14 to 20 days, but can be extended.
While the temporary protective order helps protect you in the short term, you can apply for a personal protective order that can last for up to two year. You need to give notice to the person from whom you need protection, and he or she can appear in court to dispute your allegations.
Persons who can apply for temporary or longer term protection from domestic violence include the following:
- Married persons, or persons in the process of divorce
- Divorced persons
- Persons who live together or who have lived together in the past
- Persons who have a child together
- Boyfriend/girlfriend relationships
In working with you to resolve a problem of domestic violence in Austin or Houston, we will give you a thorough understanding of your rights and the resources you can activate for any essential services that you might need.
Unfortunately, there are also cases where a person involved in a divorce case, or who plans to file a petition for divorce in the near future, will file false charges of domestic violence against his or her spouse in order to obtain a tactical advantage on disputed divorce issues, especially those involving custody, conservatorship, or possession of the children. A divorcing spouse who is restrained under the other spouse's personal protective order will have a great deal of trouble with child custody and visitation arrangements. If you feel that you have been unfairly charged with domestic violence or abuse, our Austin and Houston family law lawyers can help you set the record straight so that your divorce issues can be resolved on fair and equal terms.
Contact a Texas Lawyer at Bertolino LLP
For additional information about our ability to protect your interests on either side of a domestic violence situation, both within and outside of marriage, contact an experienced family law attorney at Bertolino LLP in both Austin and Houston. Bertolino LLP maintains offices in Austin, Houston and San Antonio. To reach an attorney in the Austin office, call 512.476.5757. For the Houston office, call 713.225.7474. You may also contact the firm by e-mail.
