Restraining Orders in Georgetown, TX

Defending Clients Throughout Williamson County 

Being served with a protective order petition or accused of violating a restraining order in Georgetown, Texas carries real legal consequences. 

Our firm is a dedicated criminal defense practice based in Georgetown, TX. We handle both state and federal criminal charges and offer a free consultation in English or Spanish.

Former Family Violence Prosecutors on Your Side

Both of our founding partners worked inside a Family Violence Division of a Texas prosecutor’s office prior to starting Winters & Chidester.

• Veronica Chidester prosecuted family violence cases at both the misdemeanor and felony level, serving as a chief misdemeanor and family violence prosecutor at the Travis County Attorney’s Office and the Travis County District Attorney’s Office. 
• James Winters spent nearly 10 years as a prosecutor handling misdemeanor and felony cases in Travis County and felony cases in Bell County before entering private practice. 

Protective order hearings aren’t criminal trials, but they move on prosecutorial logic: credibility of testimony, weight of evidence, and how a judge reads the facts. We know that logic from both sides of the courtroom.

Contesting a Protective Order Hearing

At a final protective order hearing in Texas, both the petitioner and the respondent present evidence and testimony before a judge decides whether to issue the order. The standard is lower than a criminal trial, and the hearing often happens quickly. Having an attorney who can prepare you, cross-examine witnesses, and challenge the petitioner’s account can give you a stronger opportunity to present your side effectively.

In one case, we secured testimony from the alleged victim at a protective order hearing that led the prosecution to reject the accompanying assault family violence case entirely. While the outcome was specific to the facts of that matter and isn’t a guarantee for any other case, it serves as a representation of how thorough hearing preparation can affect the trajectory of a proceeding in ways that reach beyond the hearing itself.

Criminal Charges for Violating a Protective Order

An active protective order isn’t just a civil restriction. Violation is a criminal offense in Texas. 

• A first violation is generally charged as a Class A misdemeanor, carrying up to one year in county jail. 
• The charge becomes a third-degree felony if the person has two or more prior protective order violation convictions, or if the underlying conduct involves assault or stalking. A felony conviction at that level means two to 10 years in state prison.

We defend clients against these charges at every stage, from the initial arrest through trial or negotiated resolution.

How the Williamson County Protective Order Process Works

The Williamson County Attorney’s Office runs a Protective Order Division that processes applications from people claiming to be victims of family violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking. Applicants pay nothing to file, and the division guides them through the process. 

Once a petition is filed, a hearing is set within roughly two weeks. The applicant receives legal guidance from the county; you don’t. Walking into that hearing without your own attorney can put you at a significant disadvantage.

Talk to Us Before Your Hearing

A protective order can restrict where you live, whom you contact, and whether you can possess a firearm. Contesting it or defending a violation charge requires preparation that starts well before the hearing date.