Boston Domestic Violence And Restraining Order Attorneys

Abuse in the home does not have to be physical before you can take action to protect yourself or your family. You can take action against someone who has attempted or threatened to cause you harm, whether that person lives with you, is in a dating relationship with you, is related to you by blood or marriage, has a child with you or is engaged to you.

If you have been subjected to abuse by someone close to you, contact one of our Boston domestic violence attorneys by calling 617-380-7643 immediately. It is never too late to protect yourself and your family.

How We Can Help

Once you contact our offices in Boston, we will immediately begin preparing the paperwork for your 209A protective order to keep you and your family safe. Depending on your situation, there are a handful of protection orders in Massachusetts available to you:

1. No-contact order: This order restricts your abuser from all contact and limits their proximity to you, your home and your workplace.
2. No-abuse order: This order allows your abuser to contact you, but they are ordered not to abuse you.
3. Vacate order: If your abuser currently lives in your household or works with you, they can be ordered to vacate the premises and leave your belongings untouched.
4. Combination: Often it is possible to combine protection orders to provide necessary security for you and your family.

Restraining orders can be part of a larger safety plan for you and your children. Our lawyers are also able to help you with other legal family-related issues related to domestic violence, such as temporary custody of your children if necessary, or permanent sole custody, in order to protect their welfare.

Filing For A Protective Order In Massachusetts

The temporary restraining order process begins with filing a petition in Massachusetts court detailing specific incidents of acts of violence, threats of violence or domestic abuse. Our family law attorneys help you complete the necessary documentation to demonstrate the need for emergency protection for you and your minor children. The petition must include detailed descriptions of threatening behavior, physical harm or terroristic threats that justify court intervention.

During the initial court hearing, you present evidence supporting your request for protection. This may include medical records documenting injuries, photographs of damage, witness statements or police reports from previous incidents. If the court grants a temporary order, law enforcement will serve the order on the restrained person, who then has the right to request a hearing to contest the allegations.

The process typically moves quickly to provide immediate safety, with temporary orders often issued the same day.

Legal Penalties For Restraining Order Violations

Violating a protective order constitutes a serious criminal offense that can result in immediate arrest and jail time. Massachusetts law treats restraining order violations as criminal acts, regardless of whether the contact was intentional or accidental. Criminal prosecution follows violations, potentially leading to fines, imprisonment and permanent criminal records.

Law enforcement takes violations seriously and will arrest violators upon receiving reports of prohibited contact. Even seemingly minor infractions, such as text messages, phone calls or social media contact, can trigger criminal charges. The restrained person may face enhanced penalties for subsequent violations, including longer imprisonment terms and stricter supervision requirements.

Violations can also escalate underlying charges, with prosecutors potentially filing additional terroristic threats or physical harm charges based on the violation circumstances.

Effects On Child Custody And Visitation Rights

Courts prioritize minor children’s safety above all other considerations when making custody decisions. Family violence findings often result in supervised visitation requirements or complete suspension of parenting time for the restrained person.

Restraining orders can lead to emergency custody modifications that immediately limit or eliminate the accused parent’s access to children. These restrictions may continue throughout legal proceedings and potentially become permanent if domestic abuse allegations are substantiated. Child custody evaluations may be ordered to assess the impact of alleged violence on children’s well-being and safety.

Even false allegations can temporarily disrupt parent-child relationships, making immediate legal counsel essential for protecting parental rights while addressing safety concerns appropriately.

We Are Ready To Assist You

Your first phone call should always be to the police to help secure your safety and the safety of your children. You should also immediately contact either an attorney or this office so that you can obtain advice regarding additional legal protections that may be immediately available to you.

Call Law Offices of Andrew S. Guisbond at 617-380-7643 or contact us online, and we will respond as soon as possible. We will give your case our full attention, and we can travel to meet you in Cambridge or elsewhere in Middlesex County near where you live or work, if that is more convenient. As a small firm, you never have to worry about your file being passed on to a junior associate or getting lost in the shuffle. We are committed to providing economical service with exemplary results.