What To Do If You Violated a Protection Order

In Washington State, a protection order is violated when any of the following acts are committed

• Making threats against, stalking, or contacting both physically and non-physically the protected person or the protected person’s family

• Being within a certain distance of areas the protected person is frequently at such as residence, workplace, school, or daycare

• Knowingly coming within, or knowingly remaining within, a specified distance of the protected person, or a protected person’s vehicle

• Interfering with the protected party's efforts to remove a pet owned, possessed, leased, kept, or held by the petitioner, the respondent, or a minor child residing with either the petitioner or the respondent

These are a few of the most common violations. A full list of Washington State protection order violations can be found here. 

Common Protection Order Violations

Two important factors that can determine if you have violated a protection order are intent and reaction. For example, if you are shopping at a mall and the protected person or their family unexpectedly is also there, you leave immediately. In this case, you did not violate the protection order because you did not knowingly enter within a specified distance of the protected person and knowingly remain within that distance. If you knew the protected person was there and still went, this would be a violation of the protected order.

Another common way protection orders are violated is through contacting the protected person or their family. This includes contacting them in person and online. You also cannot indirectly contact the protected person or their family using a third party to send a message.

Penalties for Violating A Protection Order

Violating a protection order is usually a gross misdemeanor in Washington State. This is a more serious offense than a misdemeanor, but less serious than a felony. In Washington State, a gross misdemeanor carries a maximum fine of $5,000 and a jail time up to 365 days. Not only this, but a protection order violation may also require the respondent to be subject to electronic monitoring.

Getting an Attorney

For anyone facing a protection order violation charge, it is important to understand the complexity of the legal system when building a legal defense. If you are being charged with violating a protection order, contact the experts at Verity Criminal Defense to request a free case review. Give us a call at (425) 905-2908 to find out where you stand and the next steps in planning your legal defense.