Unfortunately, despite the popular admonition to “pick on something your own size,” bullies, abusers, and stalkers do not often target people who they feel can fight back. An abuser’s behavior is predatory, which is why they will often go after older adults, children, or women who they consider too weak to fight back. If you have an elderly family member who is being harassed by another member of your household or by another relative, you can assist them in acquiring...

Do you find yourself in the uncomfortable situation of questioning your safety around someone in your immediate circle? Whether you are being harassed by a relative, a spouse, a romantic partner of any kind, or even a roommate, Illinois has legal options in place to protect you from harm. We all attempt to use our best judgment to make sure that we remain in safe situations in our relationships and family lives. Still, various factors can lead to our safety...

Are you a loved one being harassed or followed by a person who does not belong to your family or who does not reside in your household? We have talked before about who is protected by an Order of Protection, but what if you have need of a restraining order for a stranger, friend, or mere acquaintance? Maybe someone you know has taken a fancy to you, and despite your repeated refusal to date them, they just will not leave...

If you have had a Stalking No Contact Order taken out on you, you should be aware that the state of Illinois treats stalking as a serious offense. Despite what you may think about the weight of a stalking offense or about whether your actions constitute stalking, you need to contact a lawyer immediately. If you believe you may be at risk of having a restraining order petitioned against you and you are attempting to look up information about what...

Home is an important concept for all of us. Home is where we go to rejuvenate, recharge, and relax in preparation for the many trials and tribulations we face in our everyday lives. Some of us put enormous effort into furnishing our homes and making our living space cozy and warm. Often, we seek out cohabitation with a spouse or other loved ones. It is important that we feel protected, safe, and secure in our home arrangements. However, sometimes our...

Parenthood is one of the most awe-inspiring opportunities any living person can undertake in our time on this Earth. From the moment that we first hold our baby in our arms, a bond is formed that can be difficult to explain and which is like no other connection. Even thinking about having physical proximity to our children compromised can evoke a feeling of intense pain and sorrow. Cases that put the custody of your child in question are understandably difficult,...

Finding the right person is not at all easy. Sometimes the attraction is not there, sometimes the personalities are not compatible, and sometimes there just is not the right chemistry. Finding your “soulmate” is no easy task. Most of the time, the things that sour a budding relationship are innocuous and harmless. Even down the line, plenty of people drift apart or discover incompatibilities where there was once harmony. Often, rifts can grow in relationships from quirks that were once...

If you are seeking out an Order of Protection or a Stalking No Contact order, you may be overwhelmed already. Feeling threatened and fearful for your safety or the safety of a dependent loved one is not always conducive to the kind of clear-headed presentation of evidence and the testimony that you will have to make for yourself or a loved one. Even if you are initially seeking an emergency order of protection, you will likely eventually seek out a...

It is an absolute travesty when a disabled or high-risk person finds themselves at threat of harm or abuse. Disabled people are people just like anyone else, and all people deserve to live in safety and comfort. If you are disabled and need to seek out a restraining order of any kind, there are several options for you if you feel that you may not be able to utilize the usual avenues. If you are a person who has witnessed...

Whether you have found yourself as the offending party in a restraining order case or you are a victim seeking out a restraining order, you should know the different term lengths of emergency orders and plenary orders of protection and their differing burdens. It is important that you understand the differences so that, if you are a victim, you can start the legal process most appropriate for you. If you are the respondent in a restraining order case, you should...

Let’s say that you have been issued a restraining order, whether an Emergency Order of Protection, Plenary Order of Protection, or Stalking No Contact Order. Outside observers of the situation may assume that you are an awful person to have a victim petition for an order against you, but maybe the reality is more complicated than that. Maybe you have been cheated on or lied to and things got a little too heated every time that you attempted to bring...

Summary of Thomas Warner’s Case and Appeals The news is full of people who have had the charges dropped against them by the state because of bad evidence, recanting witnesses and, at times, even police misconduct. Most people think once they have the charges dismissed and expunged, they are entitled to a Certificate of Innocence. This is often not the case. A certificate of innocence has just one function. It serves no purpose other than to permit its bearer the...

Whether you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being the offender in an order of protection case or you have just gotten an Order of Protection (OP) or Stalking No Contact Order (SNC) placed on an offender, you should know how seriously the state takes this legal protection. There is no room for making mistakes with an OP or SNC in Illinois since the state takes any violation seriously. It does not matter if you “just wanted to see...

Imagine you have nurtured a long-distance relationship with a US resident. Over the years, things are going well, so you decide that you will finally make a bigger commitment, you decide to travel to the US to deepen your relationship. At first, things are great, you seem to have chemistry together, and she seems sweet and nice. You resolve to seek out a green card by marriage. After a while, however, you begin to see that she has a dark...

Protecting your children is undoubtedly one of your top priorities. What do you do if your child is threatened by verbal abuse, physical abuse, or other forms of harassment such as stalking? Let’s say that your child has made a new “internet friend” who seems a little too invasive and a little too interested; maybe they eventually start running into your child “by chance.” Or perhaps your spouse gets drunk and batters your child, or verbally berates them and causes...