4 Ways to Violate A Protection Order in Illinois

 Posted on March 28,2024 in Domestic Violence & Orders of Protection

Violating a protection order - even a civil protection order - is a criminal offense. Whether or not you were criminally charged with domestic violence, a protection order has the force of law. Violating the terms of a protection order can lead to jail time. If you were charged with domestic violence or assault against the protected party, a violation of the protection order is probably also a violation of your probation or pre-trial release. You must read the order carefully and strictly follow its terms. If you have been accused of violating a protection order in Illinois, it is important to immediately seek the advice of an experienced Rolling Meadows, IL criminal defense lawyer. 

Actions That May Violate Your Protection Order 

It can be very easy to violate a protection order without meaning to. Actions that might lead to an arrest for a protection order violation include:

• Having someone else contact the protected party - No contact means no contact. Having contact through a third party acting as a messenger is no exception. Do not ask a friend to contact the protected party on your behalf. If there is something you absolutely must say to the protected party, it should go through your lawyer. 
• Responding to the protected party - Just because the protected party has decided to contact you first does not mean that you can now contact him or her back. Protection orders are one-sided. The protected party can contact you, but you cannot respond in any way. Even “liking” a message can be construed as unlawful contact. 
• Making a social media post - Creating a social media post about or directed at the protected party can be seen as contact or harassment, both of which are likely prohibited. Even if you used vague terminology instead of naming the protected party, such as by saying, “someone I got involved with,” or “a certain person who knows who she is,” will probably be interpreted as being directed at the protected party. 
• Looking for the protected party in public - The order probably directly prohibits you from going to the protected party’s home, workplace, and children’s schools. This does not mean that you can go looking for them anywhere else you expect them to be. The order may specify that you cannot go to places where the protected party is likely to be found when the person is likely to be found there, which may include the restaurant she goes to with her friends most Friday nights or the park he spends time in most weekends. 

Contact a Cook County, IL Protection Order Violation Attorney

Scott F. Anderson, Attorney at Law is skilled in helping people navigate the terms of their protection orders. Rolling Meadows, IL criminal defense attorney Scott Anderson has more than 25 years of experience representing people who have been charged with protection order violations. Contact us at 847-253-3400 for a complimentary consultation.