An Order for Protection (OFP) in Hennepin County immediately strips you of your right to contact the petitioner, access your shared home, or even possess firearms, regardless of whether you have been convicted of a criminal offense. If you are served with an OFP under Minn. Stat. 518B.01, assuming it is just a temporary cooling-off period is a dangerous mistake. The restrictions are absolute, and violating them gives law enforcement grounds for an immediate arrest.
Call (612) 979-1112 or send an online message to discuss your defense with our attorneys at Brockton D. Hunter P.A..
Navigating Hennepin County Court Orders with Former MACDL Leadership
When a judge at the Hennepin County Government Center grants an OFP, the restrictions take effect immediately upon service. The petitioner does not need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that domestic abuse occurred to secure an initial ex parte order.
Brockton Hunter served as President of the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and understands how local prosecutors and judges enforce these civil orders. Law enforcement officers must arrest you if they have probable cause to believe a violation occurred.
Once in place, the order creates rigid legal boundaries.
You are strictly prohibited from engaging in several common activities, including:
- Communicating with the petitioner by phone, text message, or social media
- Sending messages through third parties, such as mutual friends or family members
- Returning to a shared residence in Minneapolis or the surrounding suburbs, even if the petitioner invites you back
- Visiting the petitioner's workplace or school
- Exercising custody of children you share with the accusing party
Preparing a Trial-Tested Defense for Misdemeanor and Felony OFP Violations
Many people are blindsided by how easily an OFP violation occurs. A common scenario involves the protected party making the first move. If the petitioner calls you or asks you to return to the house, responding to that message or showing up is still a violation. The order restricts your actions, not theirs.
Violations carry severe consequences under Minnesota law. Depending on your prior record and the specific circumstances of the incident, a violation can be charged as a misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, or a felony offense. OFP convictions can lead to imprisonment, counseling or other programs, and/or fines.
Ryan Else completed Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyers College, which trains advocates to fight for justice in the courtroom. Both of our attorneys are military veterans who understand high-stakes situations, and Brockton Hunter drafted Minnesota's Veterans Sentencing Mitigation Act. We prepare for trial from day one. If you are accused of violating an order because you picked up your children or responded to a text, we scrutinize the prosecution's evidence and aggressively challenge their narrative.
Direct Attorney Communication When You Face Strict Legal Boundaries
Navigating a criminal charge while bound by an active Order for Protection is incredibly stressful. Your daily routine, housing situation, and parental rights are all disrupted. In these moments, you need an attorney who will answer your questions and explain the realities of your case without sugarcoating the facts.
Our clients know the appropriate people to speak with on their behalf because we prioritize honest, direct communication. We do not pass your file off to an assistant before a critical hearing. If you are restricted from visiting specific locations in Hennepin County, such as a child's school or a former shared business, we help you understand what the order prohibits so you avoid accidental violations while we build your defense.
Protect Your Freedom and Future with Our Documented Track Record
An Order for Protection dictates where you can go, who you can speak to, and how you interact with your own family. Violating these strict boundaries in Hennepin County will escalate a civil matter into a serious criminal case. At Brockton D. Hunter P.A., we are veterans who became lawyers because we believe the accused deserve attorneys who will fight for them in court. We bring decades of litigation experience and a documented track record to every case we handle.
Call (612) 979-1112 or contact us online to schedule a confidential case review.