Chicago Domestic Violence Lawyers

Chicago Domestic Violence Lawyers

Domestic violence can leave you in turmoil – not knowing where to turn for the help you need. The most important steps you can take to help protect yourself and your children in the face of such violence include taking prompt action and working closely with a dedicated Chicago domestic violence lawyer who has a good deal of experience helping clients like you obtain the legal protections they need to keep themselves safe moving forward. 

The Illinois Domestic Violence Act

Under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act, domestic abuse in any form is a crime, and the term domestic applies to a wide range of relationships, including:

• Married spouses
• Former couples
• Couples who are dating or engaged
• Parents, children, and any other members of the household
• Any relationship involving a person with disabilities

Domestic abuse in the state falls into the following comprehensive classifications:

• Physical abuse, including pushing, hitting, shoving, and scratching
• Sexual abuse, including nonconsensual sexual activity and inappropriate touching
• Harassment, such as making incessant calls, sending nonstop texts, showing up at the other party’s school or job, and more
• Intimidation, such as making verbal threats, engaging in name-calling, and more

Domestic violence has a nasty habit of escalating quickly – especially when impairment is involved – which makes seeking the help you need as soon as you recognize there’s a problem the best path forward. 

Seeking an Order of Protection

A seasoned domestic violence lawyer can help you obtain the order of protection you need to help you protect yourself and your children. Depending upon the situation, an order of protection can help in any combination of the following ways:

• Barring your abuser from your home, job, school, or all three
• Prohibiting your abuser from threatening you further and from committing further acts of violence against you
• Prohibiting your abuser from being around you or your children when impaired by drugs or alcohol
• Providing you with temporary custody of and support for your minor children 
• Requiring your abuser to obtain the counseling, treatment, or both that he or she needs
• Requiring any guns or weapons owned by your abuser to be relinquished to law enforcement

If the person who has been harming you or your children fails to abide by the constraints contained in the order of protection, he or she can face steep fines and jail time. Further, a second offense amounts to a felony, which comes with much harsher penalties and more considerable overall consequences. The sooner you reach out for the help you need, the better protected you and your family will be. 

An Experienced Chicago Domestic Violence Lawyer Has the Compassion to Help

The formidable Chicago domestic violence lawyers at WARD FAMILY LAW, LLC, recognize the serious nature of cases involving domestic violence and dedicate their practice to doing everything within their legal power to help clients like you. We’re on your side and here to help, so please don’t delay contacting us for more information today.