questions & answers

Question: I had an INJUNCTION AGAINST HARASSMENT filed against me in an attempt to stop me from feeding abandonded cats.The judge awarded the plaintiff a 500 ft.distance keep out zone.This person has no evidence of harassment but still won,What can I do to protect my family from this threat of jail etc.?The judge stated that I have used MY hearing time and that I had no LEGAL OBJECTION to counter this case-what does that mean?

Answer: The following is provided for general information only and should not be construed as legal advice. To determine how the law applies to your specific situation, you may consider consulting an attorney directly. The Injunction Against Harassment orders a person to stop harassing, annoying or alarming another person. Injunctions can be used for disputes against neighbors, strangers, and people who are or were dating. Harassment is defined as: "a series of acts over any period of time that is directed at a specific person...." The injunction against harassment is an order to stop the person named in the injunction from committing certain acts or from going to certain places. Unless your family members are listed in the injunction, they are not prevented from entering the keep-out zone. During the length of the injunction, the defendant is entitled to one hearing on the order in order to attempt to modify or dismiss it. The judge may have meant that this one hearing has now been used and another cannot be requested. That there is no legal objection to counter the case may mean that the judge has found that there is no recognizable defense to the injunction that would fit your circumstances. It is difficult, however, to affirmatively state what the judge meant in the context of your hearing, however, and it may be more beneficial to talk to a lawyer directly .(A.R.S. 12-1809)