What constitutes as a violation of a protection order?

When a person commits a violent, aggressive or threatening act against another, the state of Colorado will, upon the request of the victim, issue a protective order. A protection order, per § 18-6-803.5 as outlined by WomensLaw.org, is an order that prohibits the restrained person from engaging in certain conduct that would pose an imminent threat to the protected person’s life or health. If another person has a protection order against you, you may wonder what constitutes a violation. Though the language of every protective order is different, you should operate under the assumption that your order, as most protection orders do, limits any form of contact in general.

According to Colorado law, you may be guilty of a protection order violation if, after the court serves you the order and you acknowledge its contents, you contact, intimidate, harass, threaten, molest or touch the protected person or property. Your protection order may also apply to an animal, which is a detail you should look into.

If you go near the protected person, property or animal, or step foot on a premise that the protection order specifically prohibits you from entering, you are guilty of a probation violation. If you engage in any sort of contact that places the protected person, animal or property in imminent danger, the courts will likely find you guilty of a protection order offense.

If you attempt to employ, hire or otherwise contract another individual to find or help to find the protected individual, you are in violation of the protection order against you. The same is true if you attempt to purchase a firearm or ammunition while the protective order is in effect.

This article should not be used as legal advice. It is for educational purposes only.