Illinois orders of protection are governed by the Illinois Domestic Violence Act and the Civil No Contact and Stalking No Contact Acts. They can be entered on an emergency basis ex parte, often the same day the petition is filed, and remain in effect until a full hearing typically scheduled within 21 days.
A plenary order of protection can last up to two years and can be renewed. Violation of any order of protection is a separate criminal offense.
Petitioners and respondents.
The firm represents both petitioners seeking protection from abuse, harassment, or stalking, and respondents defending against allegations made in a petition. Both sides require careful preparation: a petitioner must prove the elements of abuse under the statute; a respondent must understand what an entered order will mean for housing, custody, employment, and firearm rights.
What an order can do.
An order of protection can require the respondent to stay away from the petitioner and shared children, vacate a shared residence, surrender firearms, attend counseling, and refrain from contact through any means including third parties and social media. It can grant temporary custody and require child support.
Collateral consequences.
Federal law generally prohibits firearm possession by a person subject to a qualifying order of protection. For respondents who hold professional licenses, security clearances, or certain employment, an entered order can have significant employment consequences. For non-citizens, the order itself does not trigger removal, but the underlying conduct alleged may.
Coordinated defense.
Many orders of protection are filed alongside a domestic battery arrest or in the context of a divorce. The firm coordinates defense across the criminal case, the order of protection hearing, and any related family law matter to avoid contradictory positions and to protect the client across all fronts.
Who This Is For
- Petitioners seeking emergency or plenary protection
- Respondents facing order of protection hearings
- Defendants with parallel criminal charges
- Parties concerned about firearm or custody consequences
- Cases involving family law issues
Why Work With This Firm
- Representation for both petitioners and respondents
- Coordinated handling with criminal and family matters
- Preparation for full evidentiary hearings
- Plain explanation of the order's actual effects
- Available 24/7 for emergency situations