What will happen to the defendant if he/she violates the protection from abuse order?
There are three options available to you if the order is violated: 1. The most immediate is for you to summon the police. If the defendant violates the order, a police officer can arrest the defendant even if the police officer did not witness the violation. The police officer will also confiscate any weapons used in the violation. The defendant will then be taken to a court and charged with indirect criminal contempt (willful disobedience of a lawful Order of Court outside the presence of the Court). If the defendant is ultimately convicted of the charge, the defendant may be imprisoned for up to six months and/or fined up to $1,000.00. 2. Without immediate police involvement, you may elect to file a private criminal complaint against the defendant alleging indirect criminal contempt for the violation of any non-economic provision of the order. The complaint is filed at the office of the local district magistrate, the county court, or the district attorney’s office. 3. You may elect t
