We live in a hyper-connected world. Nearly everyone has a smartphone in their pockets and Internet-connected devices, such as laptops and tablets, at home. It’s easier than ever to stay in touch with family and friends, all it takes is a simple text, direct message, or phone call. Thanks to social media, it’s also incredibly easy to follow influencers, celebrities, and news outlets to keep on top of things.
The dark side of this hyper-connectivity is that it’s also easier than ever for someone to keep tabs on you. Abusers and stalkers have every opportunity to collect your personal information, follow your every step, and violate your privacy. In this instance, you become a victim of stalking, meaning you’ll need a Hattiesburg personal injury attorney to assist you, likely with a protective order, otherwise known as a restraining order.
What is a Restraining Order?
A restraining order in Mississippi essentially bars one party (person) from contacting the victim. This prevents harassment, intimidation, and/or stalking; it also mitigates the abuser from retaliating against the victim for obtaining a restraining order or harming them in general. Some Mississippi protective orders do allow contact between parties but limit that contact.
Obtaining a Protective Order in Mississippi
First and foremost, you’ll need to hire a Hattiesburg personal injury attorney to represent you. When you go to court, your attorney will present evidence to the judge to demonstrate that a party has been harassing you. In this process, you may wish to include additional restrictions against the abuser to keep you safe, providing you with privacy and peace of mind. After reviewing the case and evidence, the judge may bar the abuser from contacting you, any family members, and keep them from being within a certain amount of feet from your home and workplace.
How does a Restraining Order Help?
A restraining order ensures your protection from an abuser or stalker; under penalty of fines and possible jail time, the abuser cannot come anywhere near you, meaning you can get back to living your life without constantly looking over your shoulder.
Obtaining a protective order in Mississippi also sets a precedent that harassment is unacceptable and that there are consequences for unwanted contact. In the event that the abuser violates the restraining order, you need to contact your Mississippi personal injury attorney so that the proper legal repercussions can take place. In some instances, victims will ease up and allow contact; however, this is still illegal as the other party is violating the terms of the restraining order. If you ever need to lessen the restrictions in the restraining order, you need to contact your lawyer and the judge who ordered it to change the terms.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney at Our Firm
If you’ve been the victim of harassment, stalking, and abuse, contact our offices immediately so that we can begin to represent you as your Hattiesburg personal injury attorney. We can help you regain your safety and peace of mind by filing a protective order in Mississippi. Call our offices today to learn more and to get started.