While you were undergoing a divorce from your former spouse, you may have simultaneously petitioned the New York State family court for a protective order. This is especially if your grounds for divorce entailed your ex’s violent and abusive behaviors and actions. With this order being granted, you may have the peace of mind knowing that your ex now has restricted access to you and your small children, keeping you all out of harm’s way. If this is sadly not your reality, though, please continue reading to learn what to do if your ex violates a protective order and how one of the experienced New York City matrimonial and family law attorneys at Zimmet Law Group, P.C., can help keep you and your children safe at all times.
What counts as a violation of a protective order?
An action that constitutes a violation of a protective order may depend on its specific terms and conditions set out by the New York State family court. Nonetheless, below are the most common examples that may apply to yours:
- Your ex may have tried contacting you via call, text, email, social media, or a third party.
- Your ex may have shown up at your home, workplace, or your child’s school.
- Your ex may have verbally threatened, harassed, or intimidated you.
- Your ex may have physically abused, assaulted, or unlawfully restrained you.
- Your ex may have caused serious damage to your property or personal items.
What should I do immediately if my ex violates a protective order?
First and foremost, as soon as your ex violates a protective order, your priority should be to get yourself and your children to safety. If your ex is physically present and you cannot escape them, this may mean dialing 911 and having law enforcement arrive at your location. Otherwise, you may transport yourself and your children to your local police station or a trusted individual’s residence where your ex will unlikely suspect you.
Regardless of whether you believe this is a civil or criminal violation, you should undoubtedly get the police involved. Filing a police report may automatically create a record of the protective order violation. In turn, it may initiate a law enforcement action as necessary. From here, you should connect with your attorney who helped you get the protective order in the first place. With their help, you may get your ex to be held in criminal contempt, which means a possible arrest, jail or prison sentence, and hefty fines.
If this is what you are currently up against, do not try to put up a fight without the legal assistance of one of the skilled New York City matrimonial and family law attorneys from Zimmet Law Group, P.C. We urge you to retain our services as soon as possible.
