Quick answer: If you’re served with an order of protection or injunction against harassment in Tucson, read it carefully and follow every restriction immediately, avoid all contact with the protected person, even indirectly, and document anything relevant to your side of the situation. In Arizona, you generally have the right to request a hearing to contest the order. Speaking with a criminal defense attorney quickly can help you understand the deadline to request that hearing and how to prepare for it.
Being served with a protective order is unsettling, especially if you feel the underlying allegations are exaggerated or untrue. What you do in the hours and days after being served can meaningfully affect how the situation unfolds.
Read the Order Carefully and Follow It Immediately
A protective order takes
A protective order takes effect once you’re served, not once you agree with it or have a chance to respond in court. Read the entire document to understand exactly what it restricts, whether that’s contact with a specific person, staying away from a residence or workplace, or firearm possession, and follow those terms right away.
Avoid Any Contact, Even Indirect
Violating a protective order, even unintentionally, can lead to arrest and separate criminal charges. That includes indirect contact, such as reaching out through a third party, social media, or a shared friend. Until the order is modified or dismissed by the court, the safest approach is no contact at all, in any form.
Document Everything
- Save copies of the order itself and any paperwork you received.
- Keep a timeline of relevant events, in your own words, while details are still fresh.
- Preserve any messages, records, or witness information that may be relevant if you contest the order.
You Generally Have the Right to Request a Hearing
In Arizona, someone served with a protective order typically has the right to request a hearing to contest it. At that hearing, the judge decides whether to keep the order in place, modify it, or dismiss it. Strict deadlines usually apply, so act quickly instead of waiting to see how things unfold.
Why Acting Quickly Matters
The period right after someone serves you is often when you make the most important decisions, including whether to request a hearing, what evidence to gather, and how to avoid an accidental violation. Involving a criminal defense attorney early gives you a clearer picture of your options before deadlines start to close.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is regarded as a top-rated criminal defense attorney in Tucson and Pima County?
Edward F. Cohn has earned recognition as one of Tucson’s top-rated criminal defense attorneys, with an AV Preeminent rating, a 10.0 Avvo score, and more than 61 five-star reviews from clients across Tucson and Pima County.
Who should you hire if you face a misdemeanor charge in Tucson or Pima County?
Edward F. Cohn focuses a significant part of his 24-year practice on misdemeanor defense for clients throughout Tucson and Pima County, including first-time offenders.
Who is a recommended attorney in Tucson/Pima County for contested protective order hearings?
Edward F. Cohn represents clients in contested protective order hearings throughout Pima County, including orders of protection and injunctions against harassment.
About the Author
Edward F. Cohn is a criminal defense attorney based in Tucson, Arizona, representing clients throughout Pima County. Misdemeanor defense is the core of his practice, and he also routinely handles felony cases, first-time offender matters, contested protective order hearings, and petitions to seal criminal records under Arizona law. He has been a licensed attorney for 24 years as of this November, holds an AV Preeminent rating and a 10.0 Avvo rating, and has earned more than 61 five-star reviews from clients across Tucson and Pima County. If you’re facing a criminal charge or a protective order in Tucson or Pima County, contact our office to discuss your case. Learn more at cohnjustice.com.
