Many people walk into Denver courtrooms each week to get protective orders. Before you take this step, you need to know what these legal documents will and won’t do for your safety.
What is a protective order?
A protective order is a court document that tells one person to stay away from another person. The Denver County Court issues these orders in both criminal and civil cases. This legal shield creates clear rules and consequences for anyone trying to harm you.
What a protective order can do for you
A protective order gives you the legal power to:
- Stop all contact with the other person, including calls, texts and emails
- Keep them away from your home, work and other places you go
- Make them move out of a shared home
- Get temporary custody of your children
- Take away their guns and ammunition
- Have them arrested if they break these rules
These rules help create boundaries and allow police to act fast if someone breaks them.
What a protective order cannot do
Even with a protective order in place, be aware that it:
- It won’t act as a physical barrier
- Won’t promise complete safety
- Won’t settle all custody or property issues
- Won’t force counseling unless a judge orders it
- Won’t limit their right to defend themselves in court
- Won’t keep them from public places where they have a right to be
A protective order works best when you add other safety steps. Consider cameras, changing your routine and telling trusted people about your situation. Local police and domestic violence groups can help you make a complete safety plan.
If you want a protective order or need help strengthening it, talk to a Denver attorney who knows these cases. They can guide you through each step and help you build the most substantial protection under Colorado law.