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Domestic Violence & Restraining Orders We treat every client like a person and every case as if it were our own.

Restraining Orders in Waco

Protecting Clients in Waco, Dallas, Marlin & Temple

An allegation or conviction for assault family violence, dating violence, or household violence is incredibly serious. It can affect your child custody rights, your ability to be employed by government entities and some private institutions, result in deportation, cause the right to own a firearm to be suspended or denied, and more. All of this can happen even though many of these charges are based on one person’s testimony alone.

In addition, if you or your child are in fear of violence or assault, take steps to protect yourself with a restraining order. This legal document can help you or your loved ones by placing legal restrictions and harsh penalties on an offender.

Get in touch with our firm to discuss your options. We are backed by the experience of a former police officer and former Assistant District Attorney.

The Definition of a Family Violence Charge

The first thing to notice about an assault family violence charge is the name itself. From that, it seems as if there would need to be actual physical violence against a family member to make a conviction. However, to qualify as an assault, physical injury is not required. If someone in the situation felt threatened, the prosecutor may have a case for assault family violence. Further, the alleged perpetrator does not necessarily have to be blood family to qualify as "family" under the legal definition.

The following individuals can also press domestic violence charges:

  • A roommate
  • Foster child
  • Boyfriend/girlfriend
  • Ex-husband/ex-wife
  • Ex-boyfriend/ex-girlfriend

Can the Alleged Victim Take Their Accusation Back?

Many times, there are underlying motives for accusing someone of violence. Unfortunately, even if an accusation was made in the heat of the moment, it cannot simply be taken back. However, it can help the defense if the alleged victim decides he or she does not want to press charges.

Types of Restraining Orders

In most domestic violence cases, restraining orders, also called protective orders, are put into place.

The following outline different types of protective orders in Texas:

  • Emergency protective order: This order can be issued after a family violence-related arrest, usually during the arraignment. It can last from 31 to 91 days but can’t be extended. This order can be requested by the victim, or by a guardian, prosecutor, judge, or peace officer.
  • Temporary ex parte protective order: This order is meant to prevent contact with the alleged victim in any way. It can last up to 20 days and then be extended upon further request.
  • Final protective order: This order is meant to prevent contact with or further abuse of the alleged victim. It can last up to two years.

These orders can include details on whether the accused can remain in their residence, how close the accused can come to the alleged victim’s residence, place of employment, school, and more; whether the accused can possess or be near a firearm or other weapon; and circumstances.

Work with Blanchard & Thomas

The violation of a protective order can lead to greater charges and penalties. At Blanchard & Thomas, our Waco attorneys can work to both protect victims and defend those who have been wrongly accused.

Learn more about the firm or call (866) 251-0624 today.

The Blanchard & Thomas
“Clients’ Bill of Rights”

We want to earn the right to be your attorneys from now on, not just for the duration of your current legal issue.

  • We treat clients like people and not numbers – the same way we would like to be treated ourselves. Every client is treated with absolute respect and dignity.

  • We build our relationships upon a foundation of total honesty. Absolute honesty allows the client and the attorney to develop trust that will be absolutely critical to success in and out of the courtroom.

  • While the attorney client relationship may not always result in friendship, we believe it should always result in mutual respect. We zealously advocate on our clients’ behalf whether we agree with their choices or not. We do not judge our clients choices; we simply attempt to help them learn from them, live with them, and overcome them.

  • We make a commitment to communication. We begin and end many of our days communicating with clients. Our clients can count on us to return phone calls and/or e-mails within 24 hours except in emergencies or during announced absences from the office. We want our clients to always know what we know and vice-versa., and overcome them.

  • We play hard, we play fast, and we stick to the game plan. We work with every client to develop a strategy most likely to bring about their success. We work hard to ensure the strategy gives our client every advantage possible and their very best chance at success. We then implement that strategy as quickly and efficiently as possible.

  • We play to win. While we cannot guarantee outcomes in any case, we always do our best to see that our clients come out on top. We want our clients to know without question that their success matters to us more than their payments.

  • We serve at the clients’ pleasure. If for any reason whatsoever the client decides he/she is better off with a different attorney or law firm, we will respectfully and professionally do whatever we can to get the new attorney or law firm up to speed and ready to handle the case. We vow to never object to a client’s request to seek alternative counsel, and we promise to return 100% of any unearned advance payments.

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