Restraining Orders

According to MGL chapter 209A, a person may petition for a restraining order to protect him or herself from abuse by a family or household member. The restraining order has the capacity to:

  • Prevent the defendant from contacting or interacting with the petitioner
  • Grant temporary custody over any minor children to the petitioner
  • Evict the defendant from the residence shared with the petitioner
  • Confiscate firearms from the defendant
  • Remain on your permanent record

If you have had a Restraining Order taken out against you call our experienced criminal lawyers for a free consultation. Failure to address a restraining order can often lead to significant legal and professional hardship in the future.

Temporary restraining orders (TRO's) are lawful orders that prohibit the defendant from contacting or interacting with the plaintiff. TRO's are generally valid for up to 10 days after issuance upon which a hearing will be held, and the defendant will be notified to be given the opportunity to testify in court. A TRO serves as the first step towards establishing a permanent restraining order that, when violated, will appear on the defendant's criminal record. Temporary Restraining Order's can be enforced without the consent or knowledge of the defendant and could even lead to his or her arrest when violated.

If a TRO / Temporary restraining order has been taken out against you, our Boston Criminal Lawyers at the Criminal Defense Law Firm of Altman and Altman LLP will act immediately to prevent the issue from advancing any further and advise you on the best course of action to resolve the problem. Our lawyers are also highly experienced trial attorneys who will represent you in court to have your TRO vacated as soon as possible. Should you have any questions regarding your rights or the overall process, please call our Boston restraining order lawyers for a free consultation. Our team of defense lawyers are available after hours and on weekends if needed.

Massachusetts Domestic Violence Lawyers

Often times a restraining order is taken out after a domestic dispute or altercation. Our Boston Criminal Lawyers at Altman and Altman provide extraordinary legal assistance to persons charged with domestic violence. Charges of domestic violence should never be taken lightly, for they can appear on the defendant's permanent record and, in turn, jeopardize his or her future. In such cases, it is advantageous to consult an attorney as soon as possible, because keeping an accurate record of all relevant details is crucial for a successful case. 

Taking Out a Restraining Order

If you would like to take out a restraining order against an individual or individuals we can help:

To petition for a restraining order, you must fill out an application at a local court where you will be required to testify before a judge. If you are seeking a restraining order during non-business hours, however, you may visit the local police station, which may contact a judge to issue you a temporary restraining order that is valid until the first day that the local court is open for business. Our Boston Criminal Lawyers at Altman and Altman LLP can assist you in both the application process and inside the courtroom to successfully attain a restraining order.

Although an attorney is not necessary in petitioning for a restraining order, our experienced trial attorneys at Altman and Altman LLP can maximize your chances of being granted the protection that you need. They will ensure that your views are effectively communicated when testifying in court and that your requests are given full consideration by the presiding judge, both of which will increase your likelihood of successfully obtaining a restraining order.

Call us at 617.492.3000 or contact us online today to find out how we can help.

Altman LLP's lawyers handle personal injury & criminal defense cases in all Massachusetts cities including: Allston, Arlington, Belmont, Boston, Braintree, Brighton, Brockton, Brookline, Cambridge, Charlestown, Dedham, Everett, Fall River, Framingham, Gloucester, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Lawrence, Lexington, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, Medford, Middlesex County, New Bedford, Needham, Newton, Norfolk County, Plymouth, Quincy, Revere, Roxbury, Salem, Saugus, Somerville, South Boston, Springfield, Suffolk County, Taunton, Walpole, Waltham, Wareham, Watertown, West Roxbury, Winchester, Worcester, Worcester County and Wrentham. Altman LLP's attorneys are dedicated to serving our clients needs regarding every aspect of their personal injury or criminal defense case. We also handle accident cases that happened on all roads and highways throughout Massachusetts including Route 128, Route 93, Route 495, Route 290, Route 2, Route 95, The Mass Pike Route 190, Route 3, Route 1, Route 11,0 Route 9, and Route 20.

Boston Criminal Lawyer Blog - Restraining Orders