Restraining Order Defense at Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center (CCB)

If you are facing a restraining order at Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center (CCB) in Downtown Los Angeles, you need to act immediately. Judges at CCB handle hundreds of criminal and restraining order cases every week. Protective orders are often issued at the very first hearing, sometimes without your input.

A restraining order at CCB can cost you your freedom, your job, your firearm rights, and your ability to see your children.

Call Power Trial Lawyers now at (888) 808-2179 for a confidential consultation with a Los Angeles Restraining Order Lawyer. We defend clients in every division of CCB and know how to fight restraining orders in one of the busiest courthouses in California.

Why CCB Restraining Order Cases Are Different

Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, located at 210 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, is the main criminal courthouse for Los Angeles County. Nearly every serious criminal case in downtown Los Angeles runs through CCB, including cases involving domestic violence, assault, stalking, and other charges where restraining orders are common.

What makes CCB unique:

• Judges here are accustomed to issuing Criminal Protective Orders (CPOs) alongside criminal cases.
• Prosecutors (District Attorney or City Attorney) often request restraining orders at the very first court appearance.
• The courthouse is backlogged and fast-paced. Judges prefer to issue orders “just to be safe” unless the defense strongly challenges them.
• Hearings here can blend criminal procedure with civil restraining order law, requiring a defense team that understands both.

Types of Restraining Orders at CCB

Although CCB is primarily a criminal courthouse, you may face several types of restraining orders here:

1. Criminal Protective Orders (CPOs)

• Requested by prosecutors during an active criminal case.
• Often issued at arraignment, even before any evidence is tested.
• Can bar all contact with the alleged victim.

2. Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (DVROs)

• Sometimes filed in parallel family law cases but may overlap with criminal proceedings.
• Issued based on “reasonable proof” of past abuse.

3. Civil Harassment Orders

• Less common at CCB but can arise when alleged harassment overlaps with criminal charges.

4. Emergency / Temporary Orders

• Judges may issue TROs on the spot at arraignment, lasting until the next hearing.

Key takeaway: At CCB, restraining orders are often issued as a package deal with criminal charges. This makes your defense strategy more complex — but also gives us more opportunities to fight them.

Temporary vs. Permanent Restraining Orders at CCB

Temporary Orders (TROs)

• May be issued at your first appearance or during arraignment.
• Require you to leave your home, avoid the petitioner, and surrender firearms.
• Stay in effect until the court holds a full hearing.

Permanent Orders (Orders After Hearing)

• Decided after the court hears evidence from both sides.
• Can last the length of your criminal case, through probation, or up to 5 years.
• Carry the same legal weight as a criminal sentence — violations can mean jail.

At CCB, the line between temporary and permanent orders is blurred, because TROs issued at arraignment often roll into longer protective orders unless they are aggressively opposed.

What to Expect at a Restraining Order Hearing at CCB

1. Arraignment (Day 1):
   • Prosecutors request a criminal protective order.
   • Judge may issue a TRO immediately.
   • Bail conditions often include no contact provisions.
2. Pre-Hearing Phase:
   • Defense attorney files objections, responses, or requests to narrow the order.
   • Evidence gathering: texts, call logs, witnesses, surveillance footage.
3. Hearing:
   • Petitioner or prosecutor presents their case.
   • Defense presents counter-evidence and arguments.
   • Judge questions both sides.
4. Judge’s Decision:
   • Petition denied, order dismissed.
   • Petition granted with modifications (narrowed contact rules, peaceful contact carve-outs, limited distance requirements).
   • Petition fully granted, often lasting through case resolution.

Unique at CCB: Judges weigh police reports and criminal filings heavily, even if they are untested allegations. You need a defense lawyer who can show why those reports should not control your future.

Common Consequences of CCB Restraining Orders

• No-contact provisions — even peaceful communication can trigger violations.
• Move-out orders — you may be forced from your home on short notice.
• Firearms surrender — all firearms and ammunition must be turned in.
• Custody and visitation limits — orders may affect your ability to see your children.
• Employment consequences — especially in law enforcement, healthcare, finance, or any profession requiring clearance.
• Bail restrictions — protective orders at CCB often become conditions of release, making violations especially dangerous.

Defense Strategies at CCB

At Power Trial Lawyers, we tailor defense strategies to the courthouse, the judge, and the specific case. At CCB, we focus on:

• Challenging the prosecution’s narrative: Police reports are often one-sided and incomplete.
• Cross-examining credibility: Exposing contradictions in the petitioner’s statements.
• Custody and parenting carve-outs: Fighting for structured contact when children are involved.
• Firearms planning: Coordinating lawful surrender and retrieval to avoid extra charges.
• Narrowing terms: Negotiating for peaceful contact or reduced stay-away distances.
• Coordination with criminal defense: Making sure your restraining order defense strengthens — not weakens — your criminal case.

What To Do If You’re Facing a Restraining Order at CCB

1. Read the order immediately. Pay attention to contact, distance, and firearm provisions.
2. Obey every term. Even accidental violations can mean arrest.
3. Do not contact the petitioner. Not by phone, text, social media, or through friends.
4. Surrender firearms if required. File proof with the court to show compliance.
5. Gather evidence: Save communications, find witnesses, collect time-stamped data.
6. Call Power Trial Lawyers immediately. We know CCB, its judges, and its prosecutors. Early intervention is key.

Why Hire Power Trial Lawyers for CCB Restraining Order Defense

• Experience at CCB: We regularly defend clients in Downtown Los Angeles.
• Integrated defense: We handle restraining order defense and criminal defense together.
• Local knowledge: We know courtroom procedures, judicial tendencies, and how prosecutors handle these requests.
• Proven record: Our team has won dismissals, narrowed orders, and strategic resolutions.
• Firearms focus: We specialize in protecting Second Amendment rights in restraining order contexts.
• Family advocacy: We fight to preserve custody and visitation even in the face of DVRO findings.

FAQ: Restraining Orders at CCB

Will I get a restraining order at my first appearance?
Yes, judges at CCB often issue temporary protective orders at arraignment.

What’s the difference between a CPO and a DVRO?
CPOs are tied to criminal cases, requested by prosecutors. DVROs are civil family law orders, sometimes overlapping with criminal charges.

Can I fight a restraining order if I also have criminal charges?
Yes, but your defense must be carefully coordinated. Anything said in restraining order hearings could affect your criminal case.

How long do restraining orders last at CCB?
CPOs usually last for the duration of the case or probation. DVROs can last up to 5 years and be renewed.

Will a restraining order affect my bail?
Yes. Violating a protective order at CCB can result in immediate bail revocation and jail.

Can I see my children if there’s a restraining order?
It depends. We fight for peaceful contact or structured parenting carve-outs where possible.

Glossary of Terms at CCB

• CCB: Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, 210 W. Temple St., Los Angeles.
• CPO: Criminal Protective Order issued in a criminal case.
• DVRO: Domestic Violence Restraining Order.
• TRO: Temporary Restraining Order.
• PC § 273.6: California law making restraining order violations a crime.
• CLETS: California’s law enforcement database where orders are filed.

Take Action Now–Consult With a CCB Restraining Order Defense Lawyer

CCB is one of the toughest courthouses in Los Angeles County. Restraining orders are issued fast, hearings are crowded, and judges err on the side of caution. You cannot afford to wait or to fight alone.

Call Power Trial Lawyers today at (888) 808-2179 for immediate, confidential representation. We know CCB. We know the judges. And we know how to protect your freedom, your rights, and your future.