Restraining Orders

Restraining Order Lawyer in Fort Collins, CO

Being served with a restraining order, also known as a protection order, can be frightening and life-altering. Whether you’re facing a Civil Protection Order (CPO) or a Criminal Mandatory Protection Order (MPO), the court is imposing severe, immediate restrictions on your life without a criminal conviction.

The Law Offices of Thomas W. Martin, LLC is committed to fighting not only your primary criminal case but also the restrictive terms of any accompanying protection order in Larimer and Weld Counties. With an exclusive focus on criminal defense, we understand the tactical importance of these orders and how to help those facing them.

Request a free case review with our Fort Collins restraining order attorney by phone at (970) 444-9448 or by contacting us online. We offer virtual consultations for your convenience.

Our Restraining Order Representation

Restraining orders are legal directives issued by a court to prevent contact between individuals, typically in situations involving alleged domestic violence, harassment, stalking, or assault.

In Colorado, these orders can be issued in both criminal and civil cases and are designed to protect one person from perceived harm or intimidation by another. While these orders serve an essential purpose, they can also have serious consequences for the person accused.

If you are facing a restraining order, it is critical to understand your rights and the potential impact on your freedom, family, and future.

The Impact of Restraining Orders

Protection orders are not merely temporary inconveniences; they are immediate sanctions that profoundly impact your constitutional rights and daily life.

Loss of Home and Contact

The most devastating effect, especially in domestic violence cases, is the automatic restriction on your living situation and communication.

Eviction: An MPO will likely force you to immediately vacate the shared residence, regardless of who owns or leases the property.
No contact: The order typically imposes a strict no-contact rule with the protected party. This means no texts, calls, emails, social media, or even contact through a third party.
Parental rights: MPOs often prohibit all contact with minor children if they were witnesses or victims. This restriction on fundamental rights as a parent is one of the most urgent issues we must address.

Loss of Firearm Rights (The Federal Felony Risk)

Any protection order connected to a domestic violence-related charge immediately triggers an obligation for the accused to relinquish all firearms and ammunition under state and federal law.

Failure to comply with the relinquishment order is a violation of state law.

More seriously, being subject to a domestic violence-related protection order means that possessing a firearm is a federal felony. This dual liability is a significant risk that we focus on mitigating for our clients.

New Criminal Charges (Violation of a Protection Order)

A protection order is a condition of your release. Any knowing violation, even responding to a text message initiated by the protected party, creates a new, separate criminal offense. This new charge makes the underlying criminal case much harder to defend and significantly increases the likelihood of jail time.

Protecting You in Protection Order Cases

As a law firm focusing exclusively on criminal defense, we personally handle every aspect of your case, from the initial arrest to the most complex MPO and CPO proceedings. Our strategic approach focuses on three critical areas as follows.

Fighting to Modify the Order

The terms of an MPO or CPO are not set in stone. We aggressively file motions with the court to modify overly restrictive conditions, with the primary goals being:

Establishing a mechanism for retrieving essential personal belongings.
Restoring supervised or indirect contact with children where safety can be assured.

Strategic Defense & Coordination

We understand the dangerous intersection of civil and criminal law. Statements you might be compelled to make in a Civil Protection Order (CPO) hearing can be used against you in a separate criminal case. We coordinate your defense across both venues to prevent self-incrimination and look for weaknesses in the prosecution's evidence.

Preventing Further Violations

Our first priority is to stabilize your legal situation. We provide clear, direct guidance on the non-contact rules; this is done so you do not commit a new, avoidable crime that could lead to immediate bond revocation and jail time.

Understanding Colorado’s Dual Protection Order System

Colorado uses two main types of orders that a defense attorney must manage.

Mandatory Protection Orders (MPOs)

Trigger: Automatically issued by a criminal court judge at your first appearance (arraignment) following a criminal charge, especially if a domestic violence enhancer is applied.
Purpose: To protect the victim and any witnesses while the criminal case is pending.
Duration: Remains in effect until the "final disposition" of the case, which often means until probation or parole is successfully completed, potentially lasting years after a conviction.

Civil Protection Orders (CPOs)

Trigger: Requested by a private citizen (the Petitioner) who claims to be in fear of harm, stalking, harassment, or domestic abuse.
Process: Begins with a Temporary Protection Order (TPO), granted ex parte (without the accused present) if the judge finds an immediate danger. This TPO is followed by a contested Permanent Protection Order (PPO) hearing, during which both parties present evidence.
Consequence: A PPO can last for an indefinite period (forever) unless terminated or modified by the court.

If you are facing an MPO or fighting a PPO, you are fighting for your home, your children, and your future. Don't face this complex legal battle alone. Our Fort Collins restraining order attorney draws on over 20 years of experience to fight for optimal outcomes.

Call us today at (970) 444-9448 or connect with us online for a free initial consultation.

Continue Reading Read Less

"Ethical, knowledgeable, hard working, truthful, and responsive."
Tom took my case on, and right away I knew how enthusiastic he is about the law. I was very optimistic based on our very long discussions about my situation. He is also very personable and really cares about creating a positive outcome. Because of his research and knowledge of the law, I received the best outcome that I could have possibly ever dreamed of. He hit it out of the ballpark for me, and I appreciate everything that he did for me. Thanks, Tom! You have created a very high bar for others to live up to in your industry. Ethical, knowledgeable, hard working, truthful, responsive, and really, just a great guy!

- Kim O.
"He is truthful and knows the law inside out!"
Tom calmly walked us through a legal nightmare!! He's worth far more than he actually charges! Don't be put off if he's blunt. He is truthful and knows the law inside out! THANK YOU TOM! If you need good representation and honesty, look no further! I can't imagine going through this junk without him!

- N.F.
"He made my legal experience smooth and stress-free."
I recently worked with Tom, and he is an exceptional lawyer who made my legal experience smooth and stress-free. From our first meeting, he showed a deep understanding of the law and was dedicated to achieving the best outcome for my case. What stood out to me most was his friendly and empathetic approach, which helped during this stressful time. He was always almost available, quickly returning calls and emails, and patiently answering all my questions. His calm and composed demeanor provided a great sense of reassurance that my case would work out. In the end, he got my case dismissed and sealed, and I could not be more grateful. Thanks again, Tom!

- Josh P.
"I can't say enough wonderful things about him."
He saved me. I can't say enough wonderful things about him. I wish I could give Tom 10 stars. Every penny spent was absolute gold. I recommend him one thousand percent.

- Julieanna D.
"Incredibly kind and knowledgeable."
Tom was incredibly kind and knowledgeable. He took a good half-hour phone call to educate me. I highly recommend him.

- Dillon M.
"I would highly recommend him to any of my friends."
Tom was highly recommended by a coworker, so I contacted him about my case. He responded quickly, and we met to go over the details. He said he thought my case had a good chance of being dismissed, and that’s exactly what happened, thanks to his professionalism and experience. I would highly recommend him to any of my friends. Thank you for your help, Tom!

- Jason C.
"He was very helpful"
Tom was recommended by a friend of mine, who spoke very highly of him. I gave him a call. He responded quickly to my message. Gave me advice on how I needed to proceed! He did not try to gouge me for a huge retainer; he just gave me the info I needed. I had to call him back a few more times because I needed additional info. He was very helpful and fun to talk to, also! I will be going to him in the future if the need arises.
Give him a call. I am glad I did !!

- Doug P.
"His knowledge and experience paid off."
A close friend recommended Tom for assistance with a DUI. His knowledge and experience paid off with a reduced sentence and limited consequences. He worked hard for the results, and his knowledge of how the system works paid off immensely.

- Kelsey P.

View All Reviews

What Sets Us Apart?

See Why Clients Are Choosing The Law Offices of Thomas W. Martin, LLC

More than 20 Years of Experience
Affordable & Transparent Fees
Prepared for Trial if Necessary
Focused on Criminal Defense
Personalized, Client-Focused Representation
Accessible & Responsive to Our Clients
Affordable & Transparent Fees
Direct Access to Attorney

Contact Us Today

A member of our team will be in touch shortly to confirm your contact details or address questions you may have.

First Name
Please enter your first name.
Last Name
Please enter your last name.
Phone
Please enter your phone number.

This isn't a valid phone number.
Email
Please enter your email address.

This isn't a valid email address.
Are you a new client?
Please make a selection.
How can we help you?
Please enter a message.
By submitting, you agree to receive text messages from The Law Offices of Thomas W. Martin, LLC at the number provided, including those related to your inquiry, follow-ups, and review requests, via automated technology. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency may vary. Reply STOP to cancel or HELP for assistance. Acceptable Use Policy