Being accused of domestic violence can take a toll on your daily life. One of the biggest issues you might encounter is a restraining order, which restricts your access to certain people — generally the alleged victim — and may prevent you from going home or even attending work. While you may have done your best to abide by the terms of your restraining order despite any difficulty, maybe Washington authorities are now accusing you of violating it.
Did you really violate your order?
Perhaps you did violate your restraining order, whether on purpose or by accident. However, it is not uncommon for people to be incorrectly accused of a restraining order violation. In some cases, it might be an instance of mistaken identity where a victim mistook someone else for you. Someone with a personal vendetta might have also decided to make a false report.
What you stand to lose
Complying with the terms of your restraining order is essential. The potential consequences of a violation can be severe and may limit your opportunities in the future. Some of the legal consequences you could face include losing:
- Child visitation privileges
- Your right to own or possess firearms
- Your current immigration standing
There is no time to lose when being accused of violating a restraining order. Not only do you have your personal reputation to preserve, but you are also facing potentially serious legal consequences. Being proactive and learning as much as possible about your situation and options for handling it according to Washington state law is a good way to get started.