If you are charged with a crime there are a number of things that the Court can issue in terms of order at your initial hearing. One of the things that a court can issue is something called a no contact order.
What is a no contact order?
A no contact order is a court order that requires a defendant to have no contact with a specific person or place. These are mostly used in crimes of violence and/or property crimes. For example, if a person beats another person, then the court at the initial hearing is likely to order that the defendant have no contact with the person they are alleged to have beaten up. If a person has been accused of stealing from Wal-Mart, then they may issue an order preventing them from going back to Wal-Mart.
How long does a no contact order last?
The length of a no contact order can vary significantly based on the facts and circumstances. In the case of an act of violence the no contact order may be issued at the time of the initial hearing and could last all the way until the defendant completes their sentence if they are convicted. On the other hand, many times the alleged victims may seek to have the no contact order lifted, in that circumstance the defendant may petition the court for a hearing to lift the no contact order and it may be terminated while the case is still pending.
How is a no contact order enforced?
Many times when the court issues a no contact order the court will put the defendant on GPS monitoring where they can track to make sure that the defendant is staying away from the person or place that they have been ordered to not have contact with.
What happens if you violate a no contact order?
If someone violates a no contact order a number of things can occur. If the case is still active, then the court can revoke the bond and take the defendant back into custody. If the case is over but the defendant is on probation or community corrections a violation may be filed resulting in an arrest warrant. Under all circumstances if a no contact order is violated then the prosecutor may file an additional criminal charge called invasion of privacy.
Can I contact the protected person in anyway?
No, if there is a no contact order in place that applies to any contact direct or indirect. This means no phone calls, social media messages, communication thru family members or any other form of communication.
What if the protected person contacts me?
The no contact order applies to any contact. If the protected person contacts the person that has the order, then the defendant should terminate that contact immediately and remove themselves from the situation. A defendant must always remember they are the one’s that can get in trouble if a no contact order it violated in any way.
If you or a loved one has a no contact order as the result of a criminal case, contact the attorneys at Banks and Brower 24/7 to get assistance with your case by calling 317-870-0019 or emailing info@banksbrower.com.