Protective Orders in Greenwich Disorderly Conduct Cases
When it comes to protective orders in Greenwich disorderly conduct cases, meeting with an experienced disorderly conduct attorney to discuss your options moving forward is an essential step. These orders vary in the number of limitations involved. Therefore, it is extremely important to be aware of exactly what they entail, given the negative repercussions of violating them.
Levels of Orders
At the first court date, which is typically the business day following an arrest, the judge will issue protective orders in Greenwich disorderly conduct cases. This is a standing order of the court that remains in effect until the judge changes it. The order can prohibit different kinds of contact, depending on the level. Depending on the nature of the charges, the history of the person charged, and what the other party requests, the judge will choose one of the following three:
Level One: Partial
Protective orders in Greenwich disorderly conduct cases come with varying degrees of limitations on a person’s freedom. The lowest level of protective order is called the partial or limited protective order in Connecticut and prohibits the defendant from exhibiting any of the following types of behaviors toward the protected person:
- Threatening
- Abusing
- Harassing
- Stalking
- Interfering
At this level, protective orders in Greenwich disorderly conduct cases allow for the Defendant and the complainant to continue living together and remain in touch, as long as the aforementioned actions do not take place.
Level Two: Residential Stay-Away
The next step up is a full residential stay-away protective order. That prohibits everything a partial protective order prohibits, but it also prohibits the defendant from going to the protected person’s home or place of residence. They can have contact outside of the person’s home.
Level Three: Full No Contact
Lastly, there is a full no contact protective order that incorporates everything from the lower two and additionally prohibits any kind of contact with the protected person. That includes but is not limited to contact through Facebook, social media, and email. The Defendant cannot tell a third party to pass a message on the Defendant’s behalf. There is no contact permitted whatsoever, in any form.
How an Attorney Can Help at the Arraignment and Beyond
If someone has been arrested for disorderly conduct in a domestic violence situation, They should contact an attorney right away so that the attorney can advise them on the conditions of release date received from the police department just to make sure they understand them, that they follow them, and that there is not going to be an issue that night. The next morning, the attorney can prepare them for the family relations meeting.
Depending on the circumstances, the attorney may even go with them to the meeting and be present in the room. Then if there is any issue with the protective order, the attorney can be there to represent the best interest of the recipient. This is especially true in cases where the judge or court advocate tries to get the person out of their home for weeks or months at the time. It is important to have someone that can protect their interest and show why such a high order is not necessary.
Finally, when it comes to things like AIC court order treatments, a lot of people who live in Greenwich or get arrested in Greenwich do not have the kind of schedule that can accommodate a weekly or bi-weekly class that starts at 6 p.m., because they are not out of work or available at that time. It is important to have an attorney who can request that they be released from that obligation or an alternative. An experienced attorney in the area can suggest an alternative to the court that will be acceptable to the judge and do it in a way that allows for flexibility and scheduling.