Restraining orders can give you some legal protection if you are facing domestic violence, abuse, stalking, or other forms of violence. These orders enable you to press criminal charges against the restrained person if they break the requirements of the order. A Temecula restraining order lawyer can file these orders and explain their uses and drawbacks. An attorney can get the most protection possible for you and your loved ones.
When you file a restraining order, you need an attorney who treats these cases as seriously as you do. At Suzanne M. Ferguson, APC, we have experience in family and criminal courts, so we know how to steadfastly fight for you.
Suzanne M. Ferguson began her legal career as a public defender, so she has substantial trial and litigation experience to draw from. She is exceptionally skilled at gathering evidence, conducting cross-examinations, and preparing a trial-ready strategy for court, all of which she applies to filing or defending restraining orders. She has a professional history of fighting against domestic violence, beginning when she would volunteer at a domestic violence clinic as a law student to help prepare restraining orders.
Suzanne M. Ferguson, APC, can bring you experienced, planned, and personalized representation. We have an exceptional team supported by investigators, and we commit to accessible and responsive legal representation.
In California and Riverside County, there are several different options for restraining orders, each with its own function. At Suzanne M. Ferguson, APC, we handle all types of restraining orders. These include:
In 2024, the county saw 7,369 calls for assistance that were related to domestic violence offenses. A domestic violence restraining order applies when you need protection from a close family member or person you were in a relationship with, such as a spouse, ex-spouse, dating partner, or the other biological parent of your child.
In 2024, there were nearly 5,900 filings for domestic violence cases and over 4,700 dispositions in Riverside County. These dispositions included 1,902 cases that were dismissed due to a delay in prosecution.
These apply when you need protection from a person who does not meet the relational requirements of the domestic violence protective order. This may be a more distant relative, a neighbor, or a coworker. You can file this order for actions like stalking, harassment, threats, or abuse.
These can be used to protect someone who is 65 years old or older or a dependent adult, and this person needs protection from an individual who is abusing them or neglecting their care. This also includes financial abuse, abandonment, or deprivation of basic needs. The order may be filed against the elder or dependent adult’s adult child, a caretaker, or another person in their life. If you are 65 or older or a dependent adult, you can file this order yourself.
A gun violence restraining order can be filed to prevent someone from buying or possessing a gun if they are deemed a danger to themselves or others. These orders are often filed by a law enforcement officer, but they can also be filed by the person’s immediate family member who lives with them, the person’s employer, and certain other parties. In an emergency, you can call the Temecula Police Department to request a gun violence restraining order.
There are other kinds of restraining orders, such as workplace violence restraining orders, school violence restraining orders, and tribal protective orders.
You need to hire a restraining orders lawyer in Temecula to limit your stress when filing a restraining order and be sure it is done right. An attorney can gather evidence to support your claims, assess which type of restraining order is necessary for you, and support your interests in the hearing. You are more likely to secure a restraining order and get the protections you need with the counsel of a Temecula restraining orders attorney.
Suzanne M. Ferguson has an exceptional understanding of how civil, criminal, and family courts interact in restraining order and domestic violence cases. She navigates restraining order cases like she would a trial, investigating the offense and creating an effective strategy for the case.
What a restraining order can do will depend on the type of restraining order and the relief that you ask for when you petition for it. Certain restraining orders, like gun violence orders, have limited abilities. Generally, most restraining orders could potentially:
Other forms of relief may also be possible, depending on the circumstances surrounding the violence or behavior. If a restraining order is granted, it can affect custody determinations, parental rights, and the restrained person’s immigration status.
If a restraining order is violated, the restrained person can face criminal charges. Any conviction for this offense can lead to penalties, such as a fine or jail time. The severity of the consequences can depend on the violation as well as other factors.
It can be incredibly isolating and overwhelming to face abuse, harassment, and other forms of violence. Filing a restraining order is one option to provide yourself with more legal protection and present proof of the offenses against you. At Suzanne M. Ferguson, APC, we can use the state’s restraining order laws to get the protection you and your loved ones need. Reach out to our firm today.
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