We provide specialized winterization services to safeguard your pool during the off-season, and when spring arrives, we handle the thorough opening process.
We provide specialized winterization services to safeguard your pool during the off-season, and when spring arrives, we handle the thorough opening process.
Violating an order of protection is a criminal offense in Missouri. It is not a technical violation, not a misunderstanding, and not something courts treat lightly.
Many people are shocked to learn that even minor or indirect contact can result in arrest, jail time, and new criminal charges. Violations frequently occur unintentionally, often because the respondent underestimated the seriousness of the order or believed the petitioner consented to contact.
Consent does not matter. The order controls everything.
Violation cases often arise out of chaos, emotion, and confusion. They are frequently charged based on a single allegation, a text message, a phone call, or being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Attorney Thomas Kissell defends clients accused of violating orders of protection and understands how these cases overlap with:
How a violation charge is handled can determine whether a situation escalates or can be contained.
Most violations are not violent. They happen because people assume common sense applies.
Common scenarios include:
None of these are safe. If the order prohibits contact, any contact can be a crime.
Violations of adult orders of protection are governed by Chapter 455 of the Missouri Revised Statutes.
Under Missouri law, a person commits a criminal offense if he or she knowingly violates the terms of:
The order does not need to be valid forever. It only needs to be in effect at the time of the alleged violation.
A common mistake is believing that a temporary order is less enforceable than a full order. That is incorrect.
Violating a temporary order of protection can result in:
Temporary means short-term, not optional.
Many violation cases are charged as criminal contempt, which is quasi-criminal in nature.
That means:
Courts take contempt seriously because it involves disobeying a court order.
Penalties depend on the circumstances and prior history.
Potential consequences include:
Each alleged violation can be charged separately, increasing exposure quickly.
This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of these cases.
If the petitioner:
It does not matter.
Only the court can modify or dissolve an order of protection. Until that happens, the order must be followed exactly.
There is no one-size-fits-all defense, but effective representation focuses on the facts, the order itself, and the alleged conduct.
Defense strategies may include:
Early involvement is critical to preventing these cases from spiraling.
Statements made to police after an alleged violation are often the strongest evidence in the case.
Trying to explain:
Almost always makes the situation worse.
Do not give statements without legal counsel.
If you are accused or arrested:
Mistakes at this stage often cannot be undone.
A violation charge can:
These cases rarely exist in isolation.
If you are facing a violation allegation, time matters. These cases escalate quickly and carry real jail exposure.
Initial consultations are absolutely free.
All consultations are confidential and judgment-free.
Contact Kissell Law Group today to protect your rights.