DuPage County Orders of Protection Attorney

Our Law Firm Can Help Ensure Your Family Is Safe

Nobody Should Have to Suffer from Domestic Violence.

Orders of Protection Attorney Denise Erlich Can Help

Are you or your children scared for your safety? Do you feel threatened by your significant other? Are you a victim of domestic violence? You don’t have to be afraid anymore. There is a way out. DuPage County orders of protection attorney, Denise Erlich, can help put a stop to the abuse, intimidation, or other violations of your rights. She will advocate on your behalf, working to defend your rights, the well-being of your children, and your safety.

What Are Orders of Protection?

Orders of protection are court mandates issued for the protection of victims from alleged abusers. Such orders restrict the behaviors and actions of those who have abused family or household members. This includes prohibiting the respondents from continuing their threats or abuse, returning to a shared residence, coming within a certain distance of the alleged victim, or taking or hiding the children. Some orders also include provisions to require respondents to attend counseling.

If you or your children are being abused or intimidated by your significant other, call orders of protection lawyer, Denise Erlich, as soon as it’s safe. She will get the courts and law enforcement involved to help make sure you and your children are protected. The main types of orders of protection issued in Illinois include:

Emergency Protection Order

An emergency protection order takes effect immediately upon approval from the courts and typically lasts for approximately 14-21 days. A petitioner, or EOP holder, can seek this type of protective order without notifying the respondent. The court will schedule and hold another hearing to determine whether to issue further protection.

Plenary Protection Order

The court only issues plenary protection orders after a hearing to determine the necessity and appropriateness of the action. The petitioner and the respondent will attend the hearing, and the judge will decide whether to issue the order. Plenary protection orders generally remain in effect for up to two years.

Domestic Violence in Illinois

Domestic violence refers to abuse occurring between family or household members in Illinois. Abuse, as defined by the state, may include physical abuse, such as hitting, strangling, or kicking. Additionally, domestic violence includes making a child or someone else watch the abuse, forcing someone to do something they do not wish to, or harassing an alleged victim. Harassment involves unnecessary conduct with the purpose of causing emotional distress. For instance, Illinois authorities may view creating a disturbance at your job or school, threatening you with physical force or confinement, or keeping you under surveillance as harassment that warrants domestic violence charges and/or orders of protection.

Are You a Victim of Domestic Violence?

Illinois offers protections to victims of domestic violence. If you suffer abuse at the hands of a family or household member, various legal options are available. Obtaining an order of protection, criminal charges, or both are common.

Should you contact law enforcement about domestic violence, they have an obligation to attempt to stop additional abuse from occurring. They may place abusers under arrest when the circumstances dictate, offer victims transportation to a medical facility or safe place, or provide advice regarding the next steps victims of domestic violence should take.

Filing for Orders of Protection

DuPage County Orders of Protection attorney, Denise Erlich, can help put a stop to domestic violence in Cook County, Will County, DuPage County, and the surrounding communities. Your safety is our priority, and our law firm will help you obtain orders of protection to help safeguard you and your children right away. Denise advocates on behalf of abused victims, and she can help you access the resources you need to move forward.

Who Are Considered Household and Family Members in Illinois Domestic Violence Cases?

The following people may be considered family members in Illinois domestic violence cases.

white check in blue circle
Married or previously married couples
white check in blue circle
Dating or engaged couples
white check in blue circle
People with a child in common
white check in blue circle
People currently sharing or who previously shared a house or common dwelling
white check in blue circle
People with a blood relationship through a child in common
quotation marks
What Our Clients Say
Rating stars icon

“Erlich Law Office helped me with exactly what I needed while going through a divorce. Not only was Denise thorough and professional, she was compassionate as well. Denise helped me understand my rights but also to make sure that my long term interests, and the interests of my children, were well protected. Her rates were very reasonable and she was able to connect me to other resources that I was in need of during this very difficult time in my life.”

three dots
~R.K.

FAQs About Orders of Protection in Illinois

In Illinois, the authorities may view several things, from calling the alleged victim to coming within a certain distance of him or her, as a violation of a protective order. Orders of protection violations may result in misdemeanor or felony criminal charges, which carry penalties including fines and jail time.

Orders of protection indicate a history of domestic violence exists. When determining child custody in Illinois, parents who have a history of domestic violence may be awarded limited time with their children. Sometimes, parenting time in such situations is ordered to be supervised.

In Illinois, orders of protection can prohibit alleged abusers from contacting minor children. The other parent can be prohibited from going within so many feet of your child’s school, home, or place of residence. Phone calls and other attempts to contact your children may be prohibited as well.