What are police orders?
Police Orders are a temporary protection measure made in situations where police reasonably believe that there is an urgent need for restraints to be imposed on an individual to protect another from the risk of family violence or to protect a child from being exposed to family violence. Police officers can also issue a Police Order if they have good reasons to suspect that family violence has occurred regardless of whether the other party has requested, or even wants, any type of restraining order to be made.
Police Orders can last for up to 72 hours and can restrain a family member from attending at a specific place including their home address and from contacting the person protected by the Police Order. While the Police Order is in place, the person protected has the time to apply to the Court for a Family Violence Restraining Order (FVRO).
If you have been given a Police Order, it is important to read it carefully. The Police Order does not go on your criminal record but there will be records of it being made against you which can be used in other Court matters including FVRO proceedings and criminal proceedings.
If any of the terms of a Police Order are breached during the duration of the Order it will result in the person bound being arrested and charged with a criminal offence.
If you have been served with a Police Order and require legal advice in relation to the terms or if you have been charged with breaching a Police Order and need advice or representation in relation to the charge against you, contact Prime Law.
The content of this website is informative only, it is not legal advice.