If someone has a restraining order against you (also known as an injunction), you're probably aware that you're not permitted to approach them in person or call them on the phone. Doing so would be a violation of the restraining order, putting you at risk of arrest or jail time.

But what about indirect contact? Can you get in touch with someone who has an injunction against you through a third party? Can you send a message on social media?

It turns out that contacting someone through a third party or online is a violation of your restraining order. This means that it's legally forbidden. Let's take a look at what you cannot do if there's a restraining order against you.

What Is A Restraining Order?

A restraining order is a legal document issued by a court prohibiting someone from coming within a certain distance of another person.

If there's a restraining order against you, you need to be sure you understand exactly what it entails. An experienced attorney can help you understand the terms of this injunction and what is and isn't permitted. If you violate the terms of your restraining order, even unintentionally, you risk arrest and jail time. The Criminal Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm can help.

Can I Contact The Plaintiff Through A Third Party?

If there's a restraining order against you, you might wonder whether you can relay a message to the plaintiff through a mutual friend or family member.

Maybe your friend is a coworker of the plaintiff, or maybe you have a mutual friend who will be seeing them later today. You might think sending along a friendly note or even a small gift is perfectly fine. After all, it's not threatening or related to the matter at hand. However, sending such a message or gift is a violation of the restraining order. Doing this could get you arrested or, in some cases, get you jail time.

Yes, this is true even if the message is casual or completely non-threatening.

Can I contact the plaintiff online?

You might be wondering whether you can send someone a message through social media. Restraining orders do not allow you to contact the plaintiff online.

This means you cannot send an email or text message to the plaintiff while the restraining order is active. It also means any message you send through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or any other social media application is a violation of the restraining order, even if it is friendly, non-threatening, or casual.

Contact the Lento Law Firm today

Having a restraining order against you can drastically impact the day-to-day aspects of your life. Sometimes, defendants unintentionally violate the terms of their injunction, risking arrest or even jail time. Attorney Joseph D. Lento can help you understand the terms of your restraining order and what is and isn't permitted regarding contact with the plaintiff.

If you have questions about a restraining order, including what it does and doesn't allow, it's important that you speak to an experienced attorney right away. We can help you understand the terms of your restraining order and avoid the potentially serious consequences of violating it. Call Attorney Joseph Lento of the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or contact him online.