Knoxville, Tennessee: Legal Help With Orders of Protection
Domestic violence can occur in any household. Women who experience domestic violence often have strong feelings of blame. Such feelings can prevent a woman from taking decisive action to protect herself against further violence from her husband or other close family member.
Domestic violence does not necessarily mean just physical violence, either. Other types of domestic violence include emotional abuse and placing financial restrictions on a person.
If you have been the victim of domestic violence — or if you suspect that you are in danger of being harmed — we urge you to seek immediate legal and emotional help from a knowledgeable lawyer.
At the law office of James R. LaFevor, we offer immediate and knowledgeable help with restraining orders and orders of protection. Contact us for a free initial consultation with Knoxville attorney James LaFevor.
Orders of Protection and Restraining Orders
Orders of protection and restraining orders are legal tools designed to protect women and men from domestic violence.
An order of protection is used to prevent subsequent instances of actual or threatened abuse or violence. The first step is to seek a temporary injunction (Ex Parte Order of Protection), where the judge hears your evidence before the accused has opportunity or ability to appear. The temporary injunction will order, among other things, the accused to stop abusing or threatening to abuse the victim. It will also tell the accused when he/she must appear in court.
The next step is to seek a Final Order of Protection. A Final Order of Protection can order the accused to pay child support, spousal support, leave the house, and to stop abusing or threatening to abuse the victim. A Final Order of Protection can last up to one year, and longer, if a petition for extension is filed. If the person violates the order of protection, it will lead to immediate arrest.
A restraining order is sometimes called a keep-away order. It is not limited to situations of domestic violence. It can also be ordered in divorces to prohibit contact between spouses, or to prevent harm to marital assets.
Potential Signs of Domestic Violence
As a service to the public, we provide here a list of behaviors that may signal an abusive relationship. Does your partner:
- Follow you around or keep track of all your time? (Call to ask, "Where are you now? Why aren’t you home?")
- Accuse you of being unfaithful? ("I saw you talking to ___. Are you having an affair?")
- Try to keep you from family and friends? ("If you love me, you will want to spend all of your time with me.")
- Prevent you from going to school or working? ("I make enough money. You should stay home.")
- Criticize, humiliate or constantly belittle you? ("You can’t cook." "Your hair is never right." "You always slouch.")
- Anger easily when intoxicated or drinking or using drugs?
- Hit you, slap you, choke you, push you around or abuse children or pets?
- Act jealous of you or act overly possessive over you?
- Yell at you or call you names?
- Blame you or other people for his or her problems or mistakes?
- Threaten you with a knife, gun or other weapon?
- Force you to have sex against your will?
- Accuse you of being abusive?
More Than 30 Years' Legal Experience ∙ Reasonable Rates
Our law firm is committed to offering professional legal services at affordable rates. We encourage you to contact our office for a free and confidential consultation if you have questions about domestic violence — either for yourself or for a friend or relative.
To make an appointment, call toll-free 866-752-2921 or send us an e-mail.
