California Penal Code (PC) 273.6 makes it a crime to violate the conditions set forth in a restraining order (RO) and used sometimes interchangeably as a “protective order” (PO). This usually occurs when a judge issue a legal restraining order and you intentionally ignore the terms of the order. Generally, a PO is a court…

Many clients are confused why they have to attend mediation prior to a hearing involving child custody and/or visitation. The Family Court Services is part of the Superior court. The staff attempts to mediate disagreements between divorcing and/or separating parents regarding the care of their children. They are not attorneys—they are court employees. Mediation is…

To hold a person in contempt, the order must be in writing and must also be definitive; otherwise it lacks the certainty required to punish through a proceeding regarded as criminal or quasi criminal. What is “contempt of court?” When a party is ordered to do something and fails to do it, the other party…

Probation laws differ according to the type of probation ordered: (1) Formal Probation (supervised probation-you are assigned a probation officer and are required to meet regularly with your assigned officer) (2) Informal Probation (summary probation-simply obey all laws and no probation officer is assigned to monitor your case). Probation becomes part of a criminal defendant’s…

The police may do the following with the minor: (1) release with no further action (2) refer the case to a prosecuting agency (City Attorney or District Attorney (3) release the minor with a request to return to the police with parent/guardian for further investigation (4) a notice to appear before a probation officer. In…