By Graham Norris

You were arrested, released — and then handed a court order that says you cannot go home, cannot call your spouse, and cannot possess a firearm. For many people accused of assault or family violence in Tarrant County, the protective order arrives faster than the criminal charge itself, and its restrictions reshape daily life overnight.

These orders are enforceable from the moment they take effect, and violating one is a new crime, even if the violation seems harmless or invited. This page explains how protective orders and no-contact terms work in Texas, what they restrict, what happens if they are violated, and how a defense lawyer can respond.

Graham Norris has successfully defended many clients against protective order charges in Tarrant County courts, securing dismissals, reduced charges, and favorable outcomes even in serious felony cases. Contact us now for a free case evaluation using our confidential online form, or call the number below.

Why Clients Choose Norris Legal Group as Their Lawyer in Fort Worth

• Local Tarrant County Court Experience: We understand Fort Worth’s court system and have relationships with local prosecutors
• Proven Results: Over 400 case dismissals and 60+ grand jury “no-bills” across 3,600+ criminal cases
• Personal Attention: Your case isn’t just another file – Graham personally handles your defense
• Emergency Response: Quick action can prevent charges from escalating and protect your rights

The Three Orders That Restrict Contact After an Arrest

People use “protective order” and “no-contact order” loosely, but Texas law contains several distinct orders, each with its own source, duration, and rules.

Emergency Protective Orders (EPOs)

After an arrest involving family violence, the magistrate can issue an emergency protective order — often before you are even released, and without any hearing. If the arrest involved serious bodily injury or a deadly weapon, an EPO is mandatory. A standard EPO lasts 31 to 61 days; when a deadly weapon is involved, it can run 61 to 91 days. The protected person does not have to ask for it, and in many cases does not want it — but the order binds you regardless.

No-Contact Bond Conditions

Separately, the judge setting your bail can attach no-contact terms as bond conditions in a Tarrant County assault case. These conditions last as long as the case is pending, and violating them can mean bond revocation — sitting in jail until your case is resolved — on top of any new charge.

Final Protective Orders

A final protective order is issued by a civil court after notice and a hearing, typically lasting up to two years. Unlike an EPO, you have the right to appear, present evidence, and contest it. That protective order hearing matters enormously: the findings made there can echo through your criminal case, a divorce, and a custody dispute. Never ignore the notice, and never attend without counsel.

What These Orders Actually Restrict

Terms vary, but Texas orders commonly prohibit:

• Going to or near the protected person’s home, workplace, or school — including a home you own or lease
• Communicating with the protected person in a threatening or harassing way, or at all if the order says so
• Communicating threats through third parties
• Possessing a firearm, with parallel exposure under federal law while a qualifying order is in effect
• Harming or interfering with pets covered by the order

Read your order line by line. “Near” usually means a specific distance. “Communication” includes texts, social media, and messages passed through friends. If anything is unclear, ask your lawyer before acting — not after.

What Happens If You Violate the Order

Violating a protective order or no-contact bond condition is a crime under Texas Penal Code Section 25.07. The base offense is a Class A misdemeanor — up to a year in county jail and a $4,000 fine. It becomes a third-degree felony, carrying 2 to 10 years in prison, if you have a prior violation conviction or if the violation involved an assault or stalking.

Two features make these charges uniquely dangerous. First, police can arrest without a warrant on probable cause alone — a phone call or a doorbell camera clip can be enough. Second, a violation creates a second criminal case running alongside your first, and prosecutors use it as leverage against you in both.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the protected person contacts me first?

It does not matter. The order binds you, not them. If your spouse texts “come home” and you respond or show up, you have violated the order and you are the one arrested. If both of you want contact restored, the lawful path is asking the court to modify the order.

Can a protective order be changed or lifted?

Often, yes. Courts can modify EPOs and bond conditions — for example, to allow you to retrieve belongings, return home, or have contact for child exchanges. Protected persons can also tell the court they do not want the order. None of that happens automatically; it takes a motion, and until a judge signs the change, the original order controls.

I was ordered out of my own house. Is that legal?

Yes. An EPO or protective order can exclude you from a residence even if your name is on the deed or lease. Going back for clothes or a work laptop without court permission is a violation. A lawyer can arrange a civil standby or a modification so you can retrieve essentials lawfully.

Does a protective order mean I’m guilty of the underlying charge?

No. An EPO issues based on the arrest alone, and final orders use a lower civil standard of proof than a criminal case. But the orders and the charge feed each other, which is why both should be handled by the same defense strategy. These orders frequently arise in Fort Worth domestic violence cases, where the stakes include gun rights and a permanent family violence finding.

Will a protective order affect my divorce or custody case?

It can, significantly. Family courts see protective orders and the findings behind them, and a finding of family violence can influence conservatorship, possession schedules, and even where exchanges happen. This is one more reason to contest an order on the merits rather than accept it to “keep the peace” — what feels like the path of least resistance in the criminal case can become the central exhibit in the family case.

What should I do the day I receive an order?

Read every term. Calendar every date. Cut off all contact with the protected person immediately, even if they reach out. Save the messages they send you — do not answer them. Then call a defense lawyer, because the early hearings are where these orders get contested, narrowed, or lifted.

How a Defense Lawyer Helps

Norris Legal Group attacks these orders from every available angle: contesting final protective orders at the hearing, moving to modify EPOs and bond conditions that are broader than the facts justify, and defending clients accused of violating an order. When an order is built on a false or exaggerated accusation, we gather the texts, recordings, and witnesses that tell the real story — and use them to fight for a dismissal of the underlying assault charge as well.

Talk to a Texas No-Contact Order Lawyer Today

A protective order can take your home, your children’s daily presence, and your firearms before you have been convicted of anything. The window to push back is short — and the cost of a single misstep while the order is in effect is a new criminal case.

Graham Norris is a former Tarrant County prosecutor who has handled more than 3,600 cases and secured over 400 dismissals. Call (817) 859-8985 for a free consultation.