How Do You Find Out If You Have a Restraining Order on You?
When someone feels threatened—or they want to get even with you or simply make your life difficult–Washington state law gives them an avenue to obtain a civil protection order against you, which is often informally referred to as a restraining order. While you are generally supposed to receive notice and have the opportunity to present your side of the story to the court before an order is issued, that is not always the case, particularly for orders issued on an “emergency” basis.
At Burke Brown Attorneys, PLLC, we know that restraining orders and protection orders can be issued after presentation of little or questionable evidence, and they can cause tremendous problems for individuals subject to these orders, particularly when they are unaware of them. So how can you find out whether you have a restraining order issued against you? Here we explore some methods you can use to determine whether there is a protection or restraining order issued against you in Washington state.
Washington State Court Search
All state courts in Washington state are linked through an online system that offers the ability to search information by case name or the name of certain individuals participating in the case. However, the official court records are maintained in the individual court where an action was brought and where the court order was issued. The umbrella website is provided for general reference but does not provide access to official court file records, and information may not be complete.
To see what information may be listed pertaining to you, go to the main Washington State Courts website, courts.wa.gov, and click on the purple “search” box in the upper right corner. Before the site will take you to the search function, the site explains some of the limitations.
Contacting the Local Court
Local courts are able to provide much more accurate information about restraining and protection orders, but they can only provide data about orders issued by that specific court. To check with the local court, consider the county where you live or where the person lives who may have sought an order against you. If a specific incident occurred which could have given someone grounds to seek a restraining or protection order, consider the county where that incident took place. If these locations are in different counties, you may need to check with courts in each county.
For instance, for matters involving King County, you would contact the Office of the Superior Court Clerk for information. While orders issued in conjunction with some family law matters may be private, civil protection orders should be accessible. You might also find a case in the files of the King County District Court electronically through the case access portal.
Consulting an Attorney
In Washington State, courts have authority to issue numerous types of restraining orders, protection orders, and criminal no-contact orders. These can be ordered on a short-term temporary basis or, after a hearing, for a longer period of time. Trying to determine whether a court in the state has issued an order against you and whether that order remains in effect can be difficult unless you are familiar with the procedures of all the courts that could be involved.
The easiest way to find out if a restraining order has been issued against you is to work with an attorney who helps defend individuals who are or who could become subject to restraining and protection orders. Timely assistance from an experienced attorney could potentially enable you to get a petition for a protection order dismissed. An experienced attorney can not only explain what orders are or may be put in force against you, but also how to comply with the terms of those orders to avoid a violation which could be treated as a criminal offense.
Additional Avenues for Investigation
There are other sources that could help you determine whether a restraining or protective order is in force against you.
Law Enforcement
Law enforcement officials may be able to provide information about orders on record, particularly if the order was served through that agency. For instance, in King County, you can contact the Sheriff’s Office Records Department. Individuals seeking information on public record can put in a request through the Public Disclosure Unit.
Background Checks
Another option is to pay for a background check to be conducted on your name to see what results appear. While you can search through the Washington State Patrol Identification and Criminal History Section, the official source for search criminal history conviction records, if you are not connected with law enforcement, you may only be able to access records of criminal convictions. Conducting a search through a privately-run commercial organization may provide more comprehensive information for a greater fee.
Burke Brown Attorneys Provides Peace of Mind When it Comes to Tough Topics Like Restraining Orders
Although protection and restraining orders may be issued almost routinely in some cases, the effect they have on your life is anything but routine. At Burke Brown Attorneys, PLLC, we know how to help prevent temporary restraining orders from becoming permanent, and how to help you avoid the problems that so often result when a restraining order is issued. Because we also handle domestic violence and criminal defense, we see the big picture and can offer comprehensive service and aligned strategies that other law firms cannot match.To learn how we can help, call us at 206-933-2414, email us at office@burkebrown.com, or contact us online at burkebrown.com to schedule a confidential consultation.