Northbrook, IL Orders of Protection Lawyer

Attorney Assisting Domestic Violence Survivors Throughout the North Shore

Domestic violence complaints rose drastically during the pandemic, and they have remained rather high. Part of this may be due to growing awareness of what domestic violence is and how it can be stopped. Public awareness campaigns have gone a long way toward helping people in physically or sexually violent relationships recognize that abuse is not okay. While survivors of domestic violence are often reluctant to go to the police—and indeed, the police may not choose to act—there are other steps survivors can take to keep themselves and their family members safe. Filing for an Order of Protection is often the first step towards truly ending an abusive relationship.

Sucharski Law Firm LLC will do all we can to help keep survivors of domestic violence safe. You can generally get a protection order against anyone you have been romantically or sexually involved with, even if you have since broken up or gotten divorced. Our attorneys take these cases incredibly seriously knowing that your personal safety is on the line. When we accept these cases, we are meticulous about gathering all available evidence of violence or abuse so that we can go in with the strongest case possible.

Who Qualifies for a Protection Order in Cook County?

Anyone who has been the victim of domestic violence can generally obtain a protection order. Domestic violence means violence by a current or past significant other, your child's other parent, or another family or household member. "Domestic violence" includes:

• Hitting
• Kicking
• Biting
• Choking
• Pushing
• Restraining your movement
• Forcing you to kiss or hug them
• Coercing or forcing sex
• Spitting on you
• Using nonconsensual force during sex
• Touching your breasts, buttocks, or groin knowing it is against your wishes

This is by no means an exhaustive list of all actions that could be considered domestic violence for the purpose of getting an Order of Protection.

What an Order of Protection Can and Cannot Do

First, it is important to acknowledge that a restraining order is not a shield or a security force. Your ex can be ordered to stay away from you, and they could face legal consequences if they refuse to do so. However, it is important to take the right steps to protect yourself after getting an Order of Protection. For example, you should change your locks and consider keeping pepper spray or another lawful defensive tool handy.

What an Order of Protection can do is:

• Remove the abuser from your home - If you are currently still living with your abuser, the court can order them to leave the residence at once and not return.
• Stop the harassment - Protection orders generally include a clause directing the abuser to stop all contact with you, particularly harassment and threats.
• Get your abuser arrested - An Order of Protection has the force of law. If your abuser violates it in any way, they can be arrested and sent to jail.
• Cover your children - If you have children in common, an Order of Protection can also keep your ex away from your children. Courts rarely want parents who have abused their child's other parent to share much parenting time, and they may put restrictions in place such as requiring parenting time to be supervised.
• Keep the places you go safe - Your abuser can be ordered to stay away from not only your home, but also your workplace, your children's schools, and any other places you can often be found.

While an Order of Protection is not a flawless force of protection, it can go a long way toward keeping you safe. A perpetrator of domestic violence may simply stop bothering you out of fear that they will go to jail. However, it is also important to be pragmatic and take extra steps like adding a deadbolt to your door or installing an alarm system.

Contact a North Shore Order of Protection Attorney

Sucharski Law Firm LLC is dedicated to helping domestic violence survivors break free from the abuse. Our caring team of Cook County, IL Order of Protection lawyers will do all we can to ensure that you get the order you need to reclaim your home and feel safe. Contact us at 224-276-6600 and we will offer you a complimentary consultation.