Your safety and your family’s safety are paramount. If you are facing domestic violence, threats, or severe harassment, Bellah Law Firm will act swiftly and decisively to help secure the legal protections available under Arizona law.
Orders of Protection
In Arizona, an Order of Protection (often simply called a “restraining order” in other states) is designed for situations involving domestic violence between people who have a specific relationship (like spouses, former spouses, romantic partners, roommates, or close family members). An Order of Protection is a court order that can prohibit the abuser from contacting you, coming near you (often including your home, work, or school), and committing any further acts of violence or threats. It can even provide additional safeguards such as removing firearms from the defendant’s possession or granting you exclusive use of a shared home.
Arizona Revised Statute § 13-3602 governs Orders of Protection, and it allows a judge to issue one if the petitioner (you) can show that domestic violence has occurred or is likely to occur without protection. This is often done through an emergency process – you can file a petition and see a judge ex parte (without the other party present) on the same day in many cases, because the courts treat these matters with urgency.
Injunctions Against Harassment
If the person threatening or harassing you is not someone you have one of those domestic relationships with, you would instead seek an Injunction Against Harassment (IAH). Governed by A.R.S. § 12-1809, an IAH is also a court order that tells the harassing person to stop bothering you – it’s typically used for stalkers, neighbors, former friends, or any other non-domestic relations who are targeting you with a series of unwanted acts.
The standard for an IAH is showing that the person has committed a series of harassing acts (or one act of significant harassment like sexual violence) and is likely to continue if not restrained. Unlike Orders of Protection, an IAH doesn’t automatically involve law enforcement service (you might have to arrange serving the papers) and doesn’t cover some domestic provisions (like exclusive use of home), but it’s still a powerful legal tool to make the harassment stop.
Bellah Law Firm is here to guide you through obtaining these protective orders and to stand by you throughout the process. Our attorneys will help you fill out the necessary petitions with detailed descriptions of the abuse or harassment you’ve experienced – the clearer and more factual, the better. We know what judges look for: dates, types of incidents, injuries or police reports if any, witnesses, etc. We’ll ensure your paperwork makes a compelling case for immediate protection. Because time is often of the essence, we prioritize these cases; if you reach out fearing for your safety, we will work to get you in front of a judge as soon as possible.
In the courtroom, our trial-ready ethos is invaluable. Although initial orders can be granted temporarily ex parte, the defendant is usually entitled to a hearing soon after if they object. We will be by your side at that hearing, prepared to present evidence and witness testimony to convince the court to keep the protection in place (typically Orders of Protection last up to one year).
Our aggressive advocacy means we won’t let an abuser minimize or explain away their behavior – we will highlight the patterns of violence or harassment and invoke the full protection of Arizona’s laws for you. At the same time, we approach these cases with great sensitivity and care for what you’re going through. Our client-first philosophy shines in how we support our clients emotionally and legally. We can connect you with local resources (counselors, shelters, victim’s advocates) and make sure you understand every step without adding confusion to a traumatic situation. If English isn’t your first language, our bilingual team can discuss your case and the court process in Spanish, ensuring you feel comfortable and informed.
Importantly, Bellah Law doesn’t just help obtain the order – we also help enforce it. If the restrained person violates the Order of Protection or IAH (say, by contacting you when it’s prohibited), we’ll assist you in reporting it and can file for contempt or involve law enforcement to enforce the consequences.
Your safety is our top priority, and we take that mission to heart. With Bellah Law Firm’s decades of experience in Arizona family law and protective order cases, you have a dedicated ally to help shield you and your loved ones from harm under the full force of the law.