Domestic violence charges can have a serious impact on the rest of your life. If you have questions about domestic violence issues, contact our firm to schedule a consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney today.
Defense of Domestic Violence Allegations in the Seattle Area
If you have been falsely accused of domestic violence, you should know about the many ways that a conviction can haunt the rest of your life.
Domestic violence can affect the outcome of an impending divorce and your child custody rights, and separate you from those you love.
These negative outcomes don't have to happen. In greater Seattle, the domestic violence and criminal defense attorney to speak with is Peter P. Bonnell in Bellevue.
Your initial consultation is always free of charge. Contact us at 1-888-339-5987 to speak with our experienced Washington lawyer.
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For more than 15 years of practice in western Washington, the law office of Peter P. Bonnell has protected the rights of those falsely accused of domestic violence.
Have you been wrongfully accused of spousal or child abuse, stalking, harassment or sexual assault? You need to discuss your case with attorney Bonnell right away.
Contact us. Call toll free for a free consultation. 1-888-339-5987.
Domestic violence can tear a family apart.
Bellevue defense attorney Peter P. Bonnell can defend you against "he said, she said" allegations of domestic violence. Our skilled lawyer knows what is at stake in your case, and protects your rights accordingly.
If you have been charged with domestic violence or fourth degree assault, you should schedule your free initial consultation with Peter P. Bonnell. 1-888-339-5987.
Federal Full Faith and Credit Laws
Under federal law, a protective order issued in one state must be enforced wherever a violation occurs - even if it is not in the same state where the order was issued. Known as full faith and credit, this federal law seeks to protect victims of domestic violence from abusers crossing state lines to violate the terms of protection orders. If you have questions about protection orders, contact Law Office of Peter P. Bonnell in Bellevue, Washington to speak with an attorney. An experienced criminal defense lawyer can help you understand the scope and effect of the order.
Interstate Enforcement of Protection Orders
According to federal law (18 USCA §2265), each state is required to enforce valid protection orders that are issued by other states when the terms of the order are violated in its jurisdiction. Protective orders are defined broadly under the law to account for the various types of orders issued by states, such as temporary restraining orders (TROs) and no-contact orders, for example. To qualify, the orders must seek to "prevent violent or threatening acts of harassment against or contact or communication with or physical proximity to another person."
A key component of the law is that the protection order must be valid before the jurisdiction is required to enforce it. To be valid, a protection order must:
- List the names of the parties
- List the date the order was issued
- List the expiration date
- Specify the terms and conditions that must be followed by the abuser
- Contain the name of the issuing court
- Contain the signature of or on the behalf of the judge
The order does not have to be an original or contain a raised seal. The person whom the order protects does not have a duty to register the order with the new state, should he or she move. Also, the person seeking to enforce the order does not have to carry a copy of it with him or her.
The person subject to the protection order must have been provided with due process rights, including notice of the order and an opportunity to be heard prior to the order being issued. The only exception is if the order was issued as an emergency order. In that situation, a hearing must have been set within a reasonable amount of time to protect the alleged offender's due process rights.
If the police in another state fail to comply with a protection order because it was issued by another jurisdiction, the officer and/or the police department may be held legally responsible for their inaction if someone is injured as a result.
Conclusion
Just because a protection order was issued against you in one state does not mean it cannot be enforced against you in another. Under federal full faith and credit laws, a valid protection order must be enforced in any US jurisdiction where a violation occurs. Contact Law Office of Peter P. Bonnell in Bellevue, Washington if you have been charged with violating a protection order.
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