Clarksburg Domestic Violence Protective Order Defense Lawyer

Protecting the Accused in Harrison County and Beyond

If you are facing accusations of domestic violence and have a protective order issued against you in Clarksburg or Harrison County, you need a strong defense. These protective orders, more commonly referred to as domestic violence protective orders (DVPOs) or “restraining orders,” are issued by the courts in West Virginia to safeguard individuals who allege abuse by intimate partners, family members, or household members. DVPOs can be either temporary(emergency orders) or more permanent ones.

Emergency protective orders are often issued immediately based on the accuser’s statement alone, which means the court can act without requiring any concrete evidence and without hearing your side of the story.

Why You Need to Take a DVPO Seriously

Being named as the subject of a DVPO is more than a legal issue; it can profoundly affect your life. If you’ve been accused, these potential consequences may follow you far beyond the immediate situation:

• Reputation Damage: Your status in your community could suffer, tarnishing personal and professional relationships.
• Restrictions on Actions and Rights: DVPOs can limit who you can contact, where you can go, or even deprive you of certain constitutional rights.
• High Costs: Between legal fees, possible child or spousal support orders, and other financial burdens, DVPOs can take a heavy toll on your finances.
• Background Checks: Since DVPOs may show up on background screenings, they can negatively affect potential employment, housing, and more opportunities.
• Criminal Charges for Violations: Any breach of a DVPO’s conditions can result in serious criminal consequences.

If you’re in the Clarksburg area and need a Clarksburg criminal lawyer to defend your rights in a DVPO case, the Mountaineer Criminal Law Group is here to help. We provide aggressive representation to combat accusations that may be baseless, exaggerated, or strategically used to gain leverage in divorce or custody disputes.

Contact Us Now for a Free Case Evaluation

For a personalized case evaluation, call us at (304) 381-3656 or contact our office online. Our skilled Clarksburg DUI attorney and criminal defense team are ready to fight for you.

Consequences of a DVPO in West Virginia

The West Virginia Judiciary has strict rules when it comes to domestic violence protective orders, whether emergency or long-term. Here are potential outcomes of being issued a DVPO order:

• No Contact: The order may prohibit you from contacting the accuser through any means—including phone, text, email, written communication, or even through another individual. This often applies to children covered by the DVPO as well.
• Eviction from Your Home: You may be ordered to vacate any shared residence with the accuser.
• Loss of Parental Rights: DVPOs can suspend your child custody or visitation rights for the order’s duration.
• Financial Orders: A DVPO may require you to pay child support, spousal support, or medical/counseling costs incurred by the accuser.
• Restricted Presence: You could be barred from going near the accuser’s workplace, home, or your children’s school/daycare.
• Mandatory Programs: You may be ordered to complete intervention or counseling programs.
• Gun Ownership Prohibitions: You may temporarily lose your right to possess firearms.
• Financial Reimbursement: The court could require you to reimburse the accuser for reasonable expenses, such as relocation costs or healthcare.

These orders can remain active for 90 or 180 days, one year, or even longer, depending on the case’s circumstances. However, if an emergency DVPO was issued without your input, you are entitled to defend yourself at a later court hearing. The court will use that hearing to determine whether the protective order should be extended further.

Building Your Defense in DVPO Court

Challenging accusations in court requires credible evidence on your behalf. Our Clarksburg criminal lawyer can help craft a strong defense by gathering evidence that strengthens your case.

Possible defense strategies include:

• Witness Testimony: Calling upon witnesses or individuals with relevant information that disputes the accuser’s claims.
• Communication Records: Presenting text messages, emails, phone call logs, or any other records that contradict the accusations.
• Physical Evidence: Leveraging tangible proof to challenge the validity of the accuser’s allegations.

At Mountaineer Criminal Law Group, Clarksburg DUI attorney focuses on protecting your legal and parental rights while advocating for your best interests. From questioning the credibility of the accusations to providing a robust defense in court, we deploy every legal tool at our disposal to fight for you.

Don’t Wait to Defend Yourself

Facing a DVPO in Clarksburg can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. At Mountaineer Criminal Law Group, our Clarksburg DUI attorney experienced attorneys are skilled in defending these kinds of cases in Harrison County and across West Virginia.

If you’re ready to take action to protect your reputation, rights, and future, contact us today. Book your free consultation by calling (304) 381-3656 or reaching out online.

Facing accusations can be incredibly stressful, but with the right Clarksburg criminal lawyer by your side, you’ll have a fighting chance to overcome these challenges and move forward.