questions & answers

Question: I was servd an order of protection from an exlover who i was in a long term gay relatinship with. since being served he has contacted me via e mail and phone several times. In addition he has visited me in my home, came over for intimate visits, etc. Is he legally allowed to do this being that he was he one who originated thee order?

Answer:

The following is provided for general information only. To find out how the law applies to a specific situation, contact an attorney directly.

The Arizona Courts website has a guide to protective orders. According to this guide, a protective order has an expiration date of one year from when it is served to the defendant. Even if the plaintiff initiates contact with the defendant, the defendant could be arrested for violating the protective order. However, if the defendant does not want the plaintiff to be able to contact him or her, the defendant may request a protective order against the plaintiff.

There is also a comprehensive article, "Things You Should Know About Protective Orders", that may be useful.