Marshall and Saunders Alert Criminal Attorneys to Protection Order Changes

David Marshall and Joshua Saunders have advised prosecutors and criminal defense attorneys about Washington’s new rules for Domestic Violence Protection Orders, Sexual Assault Protection Orders, and the four other kinds of protection order authorized in Washington. They spoke October 7 at the Criminal Justice Institute, building on their similar presentation to family lawyers on September 19.

Violating a protection order is a crime. Saunders explained some of the intricacies of this—what degree of crime results from what level of violation.

Marshall pointed out that the new law eliminates criminal sexual assault protection orders, but only in name. Such orders henceforth are called Sexual Assault No-Contact Orders.

The new law harmonizes and simplifies Washington’s six different kinds of protection orders. It also increases the advantage that those seeking such orders (called “petitioners”) have over their adversaries (“respondents”).