In the state of Texas, protective orders are issued for a number of reasons—the most common being an impending threat of domestic violence or stalking. While these orders are not always sought out for legitimate reasons, the fact of the matter is that a violation is punishable by law. This means that you could be subject to serious legal penalties if you were to ignore any of the terms or conditions that have been explicitly stated in the order (i.e. avoiding contact with the petitioner, giving up your right to carry a gun or coming within a certain distance of the petitioner), even if you are not actually guilty of the accusations that have served as a basis for the protective order.
Intentionally violating a court order in the state of Texas is a Class A misdemeanor, which may result in up to one year in county jail and a $4,000 fine. If you have previously been convicted of two or more similar offenses, you could be charged with a third-degree felony—which carries a two to ten year prison sentence. While it is unlikely that you will spend time in jail for a first offense, the judge can still sentence you to probation and mandatory counseling or substance abuse treatment. If the court decides that you violated the protective order with the intent to commit an act of domestic violence or stalking, however, the judge can hold you without bail until your trial.
For this reason, you should take these charges seriously. As soon as you have been accused of violating a restraining order, it is recommended that you seek counsel from the Fort Worth criminal defense attorney at The Law Office of Samuel R. Terry. Our firm offers free initial consultations to all potential clients, so you would have nothing to lose by discussing your case with our experienced legal team today. To get started, call our office at (817) 756-1817 or submit a free case evaluation form online.