At Perlman & Cohen Los Angeles Criminal Lawyers, we help clients facing criminal charges linked to No-Contact Orders. These legal tools stop one person from contacting another. They can limit your freedom and hurt your relationships. Breaking these rules can mean jail time and fines. Our criminal defense attorneys know how to help during this challenging time.
When you get a No-Contact Order, call our defense attorneys right away. We have helped many Los Angeles clients with these legal limits. Our team has fought false claims and changed strict conditions that hurt child custody plans.
We know these orders often come up during tough family law fights or domestic violence situations. Claims might be made up or blown out of proportion. Our lawyers will look at the evidence and build a strong defense to protect you. Don't wait until you break an order by mistake—call us today.
No-contact orders are legal tools in California's justice system. They set rules to keep people apart during legal cases. Let's look at what they are and how they differ from other orders.
A No-Contact Order is a court rule that stops the restrained party from making any contact with the protected party. This covers:
Courts make these orders to shield alleged victims from potential harm during criminal proceedings. They're common in domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault cases.
Restraining orders come from civil cases and require the protected person to file papers with filing fees. No-contact orders often come straight from criminal cases as a condition of bail. They have stronger penalties than civil protection orders. Unlike restraining orders, which might allow some contact, No-Contact Orders ban all forms of contact.
California has different types of No-Contact Orders. Each type addresses specific threats and gives unique legal protections. Knowing which one applies to you helps in your defense.
When domestic violence charges come up, courts often make special No-Contact Orders. These apply to current or former spouses, domestic partners, romantic partners, and close relations. Courts usually issue them after a domestic violence arrest, even before conviction. They can stay in place through the whole legal process. These rules can change where you live, your child custody plans, and your freedom.
For cases involving stalking, harassment, or threats of violence, courts issue orders to prevent unwanted or threatening contact. These address when someone keeps contacting or following another person. California views stalking as a serious criminal offense. Breaking these orders often leads to aggravated stalking charges with harsher penalties. Law enforcement officers respond quickly to reported violations.
Courts can make temporary emergency orders during an initial hearing, often without the restrained party there. These give quick protection but last only until a formal hearing. At this later hearing, both sides can present their case, and the judge decides about making a permanent order. Permanent orders may last for months in jail or years and have more specific rules. Moving from a temporary to a permanent order requires stronger evidence of abuse or a threat of violence.
California has clear laws about No-Contact Orders that differ from those of other states. Understanding these matters is important for both following and fighting these orders.
Unlike some states, which treat all violations the same, California uses different criminal penalties based on the severity of the violation. California also gives its courts broader authority to take enforcement actions. Because the state handles cross-jurisdictional issues, orders from one California court work across the whole state.
California Penal Code Section 166 covers contempt of court for violating protective orders. Violations can result in misdemeanor charges and up to one year in county jail. For domestic violence orders, repeat violations can become felonies. Judges can create specific rules within each order, from no communication to limits on how close you can be to someone's home or workplace.
Getting or fighting No-Contact Orders involves specific legal steps. Here's what happens in this process.
For court-started orders in criminal cases, prosecutors ask for them during arraignment or an emergency hearing. The judge then decides whether to make this a condition of release. For victim-started orders, the person seeking protection must fill out a contact order form and give it to the court. The filing changes based on whether it's a Domestic Violence Protection Order, Civil Harassment Order, or another type. Some courts waive filing fees for abuse victims.
Courts need different levels of evidence:
The person must show real fear of future violence. In domestic violence cases, courts often use a lower evidence standard to keep alleged victims safer.
After filing, the court sets a hearing, usually within days, for emergencies. At this first hearing, the judge may make a temporary order. Then, a full hearing happens where both sides can show evidence. During this hearing, both parties may call witnesses and make arguments. The restrained party has the right to a lawyer and to challenge claims. If the judge finds enough evidence, they will issue formal no-contact orders with exact rules and time limits.
Breaking a No-Contact Order brings serious problems. These affect your freedom, money, and future.
Violations usually bring misdemeanor charges. First-time offenders may face up to one year in county jail and fines up to $1,000. Repeat violations or those with violence can become felony charges with prison time. Even small violations like sending a text count as breaking the order. The legal system takes these very seriously, and judges rarely excuse violations, even for "innocent" reasons.
If you already face criminal charges, violating a No-Contact Order can ruin your case. Judges see violations as showing disrespect for the court. This can lead to bond revocation, meaning immediate jail time while waiting for trial. Plea deals may vanish, and prosecutors might seek the harshest penalties. The violation itself becomes evidence against you in the main case, especially in domestic violence situations.
California courts use a step-by-step approach:
Beyond jail, penalties include fines plus court costs, probation fees, and required counseling. For working people, these also mean lost income. In domestic violence cases, the court may also require a 52-week batterer's program at your expense.
If you are facing a No-Contact Order, you have options. Our defense attorneys use several effective strategies to fight unfair restrictions.
We start by checking the evidence. Often, these orders come from one-sided stories. Our team looks into whether the alleged events really happened. We check for:
In many cases, we can show that the alleged threat does not exist or that the fear is unreasonable.
Even when an order starts fair, things change. We help clients ask for changes when the order causes problems, like stopping access to children or hurting your job. We can ask for exceptions, like allowing supervised visits or talks about shared children. When the protected party no longer fears harm, we help file papers to end the order. This works well when both people have had counseling.
Some people use No-Contact Orders as weapons in personal fights. We've helped many clients prove that allegations were made up. This means gathering:
We also look at why—is the accuser trying to win in divorce or trying to punish you? Showing these hidden reasons can be very effective in court.
Many people mix up these two legal tools. Understanding their differences helps with defense and following the rules.
Criminal courts issue no-contact orders as conditions of release during a pending case. Restraining orders start in civil proceedings and require the protected party to initiate the process. No-contact orders ban all communication and contact, but restraining orders sometimes allow limited contact, such as for child exchanges. Law enforcement treats breaking either order seriously, but No-Contact Order violations more directly affect criminal cases.
Courts issue No-Contact Orders mainly in criminal cases involving violent crimes, threats, or harassment. These start working when criminal charges are filed. Restraining orders work in wider situations, including workplace violence or neighbor disputes.
Civil harassment restraining orders protect people without close relationships, while domestic violence restraining orders apply to family members. When minor children are involved, family courts might make restraining orders with rules for custody, while criminal courts make No-Contact Orders focused on keeping people apart.
Getting a No-Contact Order can be scary. Your first actions will greatly impact your case. Here's what to do.
First, read the order carefully. Then, follow these rules, even if they seem unfair. Keep copies of all papers. Do not contact the protected party for any reason—not to say sorry, explain, or get your things. Instead, call our law firm right away. Start collecting evidence for your defense, like texts or witness statements that support your side. If you share a home with the protected party, find somewhere else to stay and have someone else get your essential items.
Even small contact can result in new criminal charges. Courts don't accept excuses like "she called me first" or "I just needed my stuff." Each violation risks jail time, and multiple violations bring bigger penalties. Violations also strengthen the protected party's case. They create a record that can hurt future cases, including custody matters. Many clients face the worst penalties, not from the original claims but from breaking orders when they didn't need to.
Our criminal defense lawyers give crucial help during this hard time. We:
Most importantly, we provide clear advice when feelings might cloud one's thinking, helping one make choices that protect one's future.
If you're facing a No-Contact Order, Perlman & Cohen Los Angeles Criminal Lawyers will fight for you. We know these often result from misunderstandings or false claims, and we've helped many clients overcome unfair restrictions.
Don't try to handle this alone. Our criminal defense attorneys offer free talks to discuss your case. We're available 24/7 for emergencies, including weekend arrests or sudden order changes.
Contact us today or fill out our online contact form to set up your private case review. With our experienced defense attorney team, you'll have strong support protecting your freedom and future.
