By Graham Norris

After an assault arrest in Texas, you may face immediate restrictions on who you can contact and where you can go—even before conviction. These restrictions come in two forms: no-contact bond conditions and protective orders. Violating either can result in new criminal charges and jail time.

Here’s what you need to know, and how to know when it’s time to contact a Fort Worth assault defense lawyer.

No-Contact Bond Conditions: Immediate Restrictions

When arrested for assault in Texas—particularly in family violence cases—judges typically impose no-contact bond conditions as part of your release.

Common Bond Conditions:

• No direct or indirect contact with the alleged victim
• Stay-away orders from victim’s home, workplace, or school
• Residence restrictions if you live together
• Surrender of firearms in weapons cases
• GPS monitoring in some situations

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, bond conditions remain in effect throughout your criminal case—potentially months or years. Only a judge can modify or remove them, not the alleged victim.

Protective Orders: Separate Civil Restrictions

A protective order is a separate civil court order the alleged victim can request. While bond conditions are automatic in criminal cases, protective orders require a separate hearing.

Types of Protective Orders:

• Emergency Protective Order (EPO): Issued immediately after arrest, lasting 31-61 days.
• Temporary Ex Parte Order: Granted without you being present, lasting up to 20 days until a full hearing.
• Permanent Protective Order: Can last up to two years or longer, requiring a full court hearing.

What Protective Orders Can Include:

• No contact with victim and their family
• Requirement to move out of shared residence
• Restricted contact with your children
• Firearm possession prohibition
• Mandatory counseling or batterer’s intervention programs
• Child support or spousal support obligations

Understanding different types of assault charges in Texas helps explain why certain restrictions may be more severe.

Key Differences

Bond Conditions	Protective Orders
Automatic from criminal judge	Requires separate civil application
Part of criminal case	Separate civil case
Last until case resolves	Can last 2+ years after case ends
Violation = new criminal charge	Violation = criminal contempt

Both can exist simultaneously—you must comply with whichever is more restrictive.

What You Absolutely Cannot Do

Direct Contact Is Prohibited

• Calling, texting, or emailing the alleged victim
• Sending social media messages
• Showing up at their home, workplace, or regular locations
• Attending the same church, gym, or social events

Even if the alleged victim initiates contact, responding violates the order. Texas courts hold that maintaining no contact is entirely your responsibility.

Indirect Contact Through Third Parties

Using others to relay messages is prohibited:

• Having family call to discuss custody
• Asking mutual friends to “check in”
• Sending messages through your children
• Using fake accounts to contact them

Social Media Interaction

Digital violations are increasingly common:

• Liking, commenting on, or sharing victim’s posts
• Viewing their social media stories
• Posting about them, even without naming them
• Having others engage with their social media on your behalf

“Accidental” Encounters

Courts are skeptical of coincidental meetings. Avoid:

• The victim’s workplace or children’s school
• Grocery stores or restaurants they frequent
• Family gatherings where they’ll be present

Legitimate reasons for being in these locations won’t protect you if the court believes you intentionally created the encounter.

Consequences of Violations

New Criminal Charges

According to Texas Penal Code Section 25.07, violating a protective order is a Class A misdemeanor (up to one year in jail, $4,000 fine). If the violation involves assault or threatening behavior, it becomes a third-degree felony (2-10 years in prison).

Bond Revocation

Violating bond conditions gives judges grounds to revoke your bond entirely. You’ll be jailed for the duration of your case without possibility of release.

Negative Impact on Your Case

Violations make plea negotiations difficult and result in harsher sentences. Graham Norris notes: “We’ve got to make all the right moves from here on out and that’s part of our job is to guide them in what moves need to be made.”

What If the Victim Wants Contact?

This is extremely common in family violence cases—the alleged victim later wants to reconcile. However:

The victim cannot give you permission to violate a court order. Even if they call, text, or invite you over, responding violates the order. The victim won’t face charges for initiating contact, but you will.

Legal Process for Modifying Orders

If circumstances change:

1. Your attorney files a motion to modify bond conditions
2. The prosecutor is notified and can object
3. A hearing is held
4. The judge decides whether to modify restrictions

For protective orders, the victim must file a motion in the civil court. Never assume orders are lifted without written court confirmation.

Defending Against Violation Allegations

Graham Norris’s approach focuses on understanding what happened: “We need to understand your story and understand everything that we can about what really happened and every detail matters in these types of cases.”

Common Defenses:

• Lack of Knowledge: You weren’t properly served or informed
• No Violation Occurred: Alleged contact didn’t happen or misidentification
• Victim Initiated Contact: Evidence of persistent victim-initiated contact provides mitigation
• Emergency Circumstances: Extremely limited situations involving children’s safety

Protecting Yourself While Complying

Document Everything: Save evidence that the victim initiated contact—it won’t prevent charges but helps your defense.

Use Your Attorney as Intermediary: All necessary communications about property, children, or legal matters should go through lawyers.

Follow Orders Exactly: If unsure whether something violates the order, assume it does and consult your attorney.

Change Your Routines: Avoid locations where encounters are likely.

Careful with Children: Custody exchanges should be arranged through your attorney or court-approved third parties.

For more guidance, see our article on how to get assault charges dropped.

Get Experienced Legal Help

No-contact orders carry serious consequences beyond your criminal case. Violations result in new charges, jail time, and devastating impacts on your defense.

At Norris Legal Group, we help clients understand restrictions, work to modify unreasonable conditions, and defend against violation allegations. We believe in treating every client with dignity and respect.

Call (817) 859-8985 today for a free consultation.

Serving Fort Worth, Arlington, Bedford, Mansfield, Euless, Hurst, Keller, Southlake, and all of Tarrant County.