Understanding the Next Steps after a Protective Order Dismissal
So, what do you do if you’ve been the defendant in a protective order case and you either won at trial or the plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the protective order? My name is Carl Birkhead. I’m a Tulsa protective order attorney with Wirth Law Office in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I’ve been practicing family and criminal law for almost eight years now, and I want to help you make law easy by just talking a little bit about what your next steps are after your PO has been dismissed.
What Happens after a Protective Order Dismissal
So first of all, if you’re in that situation, congratulations. You no longer have a protective order hanging over your head. If you want to put this to bed, your next step is to ask your attorney to help you dismiss or expunge the protective order entirely.
This is only in circumstances where the plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the protective order, or you took it to trial and won. In those situations, you can wait 90 days. There is a waiting period. It’s roughly three months, about 90 days. After that waiting period has passed, you can then apply to ask the court to allow you to expunge the protective order.
The Benefits of Expunging a Protective Order
What this means is that it would be completely wiped off your record. If someone were to go to OSCN and type your name in, it would never show that a PO case number was filed with you listed as a defendant. This is helpful in certain situations, especially if you’re looking for jobs that don’t require a criminal record.
It’s also helpful in situations, such as if you’re trying to get a guardianship or adopt a child. A background check for protective orders is something that you would need to be able to pass. So, in those situations, after that 90-day waiting period has lapsed, just contact your attorney.
Taking the Next Step Forward
Ask them what the next steps are. Ask them to get that paperwork rolling. That way, you can get this completely just wiped off your record. If you have questions about this, or maybe you’re in this situation and you want it expunged, give me a call. My name is Carl Birkhead. I’m a Tulsa criminal attorney with Wirth Law Office, and I want to help you make law easy.
Contact Us for a Low-Cost Initial Strategy Session
If you’re ready to move forward and need assistance with expunging a protective order, contact me today for a low-cost initial strategy session. Call Wirth Law Office at 918-879-1681, and let’s take the first step in resolving your legal concerns. We’re here to make law easy for you.
