Restraining Orders Attorney in Everett, WA

Understanding Protection Orders in Washington State

Washington State provides several types of restraining orders, each designed to address specific situations. Understanding which type applies to your case is crucial.

Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs)

These orders protect family or household members from abuse, threats, or harassment. A domestic violence protection order can be issued when there is a relationship between the parties, such as current or former spouses, people who have a child in common, current or former household members, or people in a dating relationship.

Anti-Harassment Orders

Anti-harassment orders apply to situations where there is no domestic relationship between the parties. These orders prohibit unwanted contact, following, monitoring, or other behaviors that constitute harassment under Washington law.

Sexual Assault Protection Orders

These specialized orders are available to victims of nonconsensual sexual conduct or penetration, regardless of whether criminal charges have been filed.

Stalking Protection Orders

Stalking protection orders address patterns of behavior that place someone in reasonable fear of injury. The conduct must meet the legal definition of stalking under Washington law, which requires intentional and repeated harassment or following.

What a Protection Order Can Require

If an order is granted, the respondent may be:

• Prohibited from contacting the petitioner directly or indirectly
• Required to stay a certain distance away from the petitioner's home, workplace, or school
• Ordered to surrender firearms and prohibited from possessing weapons
• Restricted from residential premises or specific locations
• Barred from harassing, following, or monitoring the petitioner
• Required to participate in treatment programs

Being served with a restraining order can be devastating, but you have the right to contest it. The burden of proof lies with the petitioner to demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence that protection is warranted. 

Our defense strategies include:

• Challenging the Evidence – We closely examine the petition and supporting materials to uncover inconsistencies, exaggerations, or false claims.
• Presenting Your Side – Because initial orders are often issued without your input, we use the full hearing to present evidence and testimony that tells the complete story.
• Proving the Legal Standard Isn’t Met – We challenge whether the alleged conduct actually satisfies the legal requirements for court-ordered protection.
• Exposing Improper Motives – When a petition is used to gain leverage in custody, divorce, or other disputes, we work to bring those motives to light.

Obtaining a Restraining Order for Your Protection

If you are experiencing threatening behavior, harassment, or abuse, a restraining order may provide critical legal protection. We guide petitioners through every step of the process, from filing the initial petition through the full hearing and enforcement of the order. Our approach includes documenting the history of concerning behavior, gathering evidence such as text messages, emails, voicemails, and witness statements, preparing you to testify clearly and credibly at the hearing, and ensuring all procedural requirements are met to maximize the likelihood the order will be granted.

Time is often critical when seeking protection. At Snohomish Law PLLC, we act quickly to file petitions and obtain temporary orders when immediate safety is a concern.

If you are seeking a restraining order, don’t hesitate to contact our firm online or call (425) 321-3487 today to book an initial consultation.