ORDERS FOR PROTECTION (OFP'S)
An order for protection (OFP) is similar to a harassment restraining order (HRO) in that it prevents a person from having contact with another. Orders for Protection are sought by Petitioners (the person asking for an OFP) based upon a showing of domestic abuse, whether a singular incident or a pattern of behavior. An OFP requires a showing that abuse has occurred, and that a familial or domestic relationship between the parties exists. OFP's can also be sought on behalf of minor children. The purpose of an OFP is to prevent or limit contact between the abusing party and the protected party or parties. A violation of an order for protection can result in criminal charges, jail time and fines. If you are in need of an OFP or have had an OFP filed against you, protect yourself: Hurry, Call Murray!
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For Petitioners, Attorney Kyle Murray has been credited by clients for saving them from dangerous situations. In one example, a fleeing mother had moved to Minnesota with her children to avoid continued abuse by the father. That mother had initially failed in her attempt to get an order for protection on behalf of her children in the state they resided and failed. After calling Kyle Murray, within one week she and her children were protected from abuse and she could safely proceed with the divorce knowing she and her children would be safe. Had she attempted to get an OFP without Kyle Murray’s assistance and failed in Minnesota, her odds of successfully getting a protection order would have been drastically lowered. Instead, the judge in the divorce case even noted to the client that he regretted not granting the order for protection—that Kyle Murray’s work and ability to demonstrate to the court that significant abuse had occurred made it so obvious that judge acknowledged he had made the wrong decision.
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For Respondents to orders for protection, there are dire reasons to hire an attorney. What if the information supplied to the court was faulty, made-up, or simply misinterpreted? A respondent to an order for protection can be stuck with criminal penalties and convictions, including jail time, should that person violate an order for protection. Even then, defending against an order for protection can be necessary for employment reasons, let alone the ability to see your loved ones. Even at the most basic level, individuals have simply misunderstood the order for protection because they did not have an attorney, and then been charged and convicted of violations of the OFP, resulting in an extended OFP. If you or someone you know has been named as a respondent in an order for protection, it's time to Hurry, Call Murray! Your rights and your livelihood depend on it.
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