No Contact Orders – They Can Contact You, You Can’t Contact Them

This confuses many people.  A no contact order is a court order that orders you not to have contact with a certain person.  This person, however, can contact you as much as they choose. They can text, call, email, or Facebook message you every hour on the hour.  But, you CANNOT RESPOND.  If you respond at all, the person can report your violation to the police and this could result in CRIMINAL CHARGES. Depending on your history, it could result in a FELONY CHARGE.

A response of “stop texting me”, “I love you”, or “I’m sorry” can result in criminal charges.  Even a pocket dial!  The best advice is to DELETE THIS CONTACT from your phone, DO NOT ANSWER number’s you do not know, and UN-FRIEND this person on Facebook.  If there is contact, this person can report the violation to the police at any time, even weeks later. With today’s technology and time stamping it is easier to report a violation. If you contact them in any way, this person has the power to put you in jail.

A no contact order can be OBTAINED BY THIS PERSON or a JUDGE MAY ORDER IT EVEN IF THIS PERSON OBJECTS.   In many domestic cases, the judge will order a no contact order even if the alleged victim does not want it in place.  This creates a difficult situation for the whole family.  A person is not able to go back to his or her home and often is not able to have contact with their children either.  A lawyer can help you navigate the process and may be able to help you get the no contact order dropped. ANECDOTE: The craziest story I have heard about a violation involved a boyfriend and girlfriend.  The boyfriend was ordered not to have contact with his girlfriend, the mother of his child.  The girlfriend coaxed the boyfriend to come over to have dinner with her and their child.  He did and stayed over night.   The next morning she cooked breakfast for the family.  As he was eating, she picked up the phone, called the police, and reported the violation.  He was arrested and charged with violating the no contact order.