TPO Attorney in Marietta
Strong, compassionate defense when you’re facing domestic violence protective orders in Marietta
TPO Lawyer in Marietta – Defending Against Domestic Violence Protective Orders
Has a Temporary Protective Order (TPO) been issued against you due to allegations of domestic violence? Or is one coming in Marietta? The consequences can be serious if that happens.
A TPO can immediately restrict your access to your home, limit contact with your children, and impose other life-altering restrictions—sometimes before you’ve had the opportunity to present your side of the story. In such situations, you need an experienced TPO lawyer who can defend your rights from the start.
At Frye Law Group, we understand that while TPOs are intended to protect genuine victims of domestic violence, they can sometimes be sought in contentious divorces, custody disputes, or personal conflicts—where they may be unwarranted or baseless.
As experienced domestic violence TPO lawyers, we are here to help you challenge improper allegations and work to prevent TPO restrictions that unfairly impact your life.
Read on to learn more about domestic violence TPOs under Georgia law and specific ways we can help with your case.
Contact Frye Law Group today to schedule a meeting with our BUI lawyer in Marietta!
What Is a TPO in Georgia?
A Temporary Protective Order (TPO) is a civil court order issued under the Family Violence Act (O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3). Its purpose is to stop violence or threats of violence between family members, household members, or intimate partners.
There are two main types of TPOs:
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Ex Parte Emergency Orders — These are issued after a one-sided hearing where only the petitioner appears. They take effect immediately and generally last up to 30 days.
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6 to 12-Month Protective Orders — After a full hearing where both parties can present evidence, the court may extend protections for up to one year. In some cases, these orders may be renewed or extended further.
Not everyone can seek a TPO under this law. Eligibility is limited to specific relationships, including:
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Current or former spouses
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Parents of the same child
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Parent and child, including step- and foster relationships
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Current or former cohabitants or household members
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Current or past intimate partners who lived together
Understanding these categories and timelines is crucial for anyone responding to a TPO, since the type of order and the relationship between the parties determine both the process and the potential duration of the restrictions.
Contact Frye Law Group today to schedule a meeting with our BUI lawyer in Marietta!
Consequences of Having a TPO Issued Against You
A Temporary Protective Order in Georgia is not a minor inconvenience—it brings immediate and serious restrictions that can change your life the moment it is served.
Immediate consequences include:
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No-contact requirements — You are prohibited from calling, texting, emailing, or contacting the petitioner in any way, including through social media or third parties.
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Exclusion from residence — The court can require you to move out of your home, even if you are the owner or primary leaseholder.
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Temporary custody loss — You may be prevented from seeing your children until the court decides custody and visitation in a separate hearing.
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Firearm surrender — Any firearms in your possession must be turned over, which can have serious consequences for those working in law enforcement, the military, or security.
In the long term:
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When a TPO is issued, it is entered into the Georgia Family Violence Protective Order Registry, which is primarily accessible to law enforcement and the courts. At the same time, the order is filed in Superior Court records, which are generally public. This means that while a standard criminal background check may not show the order, more comprehensive searches that include court filings often do. As a result, a TPO can surface when employers, landlords, or volunteer organizations run deep screening checks—leading to lost job opportunities, denied housing, and reputational harm even in the absence of a criminal conviction.
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Judges often treat a TPO as a factor against parental fitness in family law proceedings, which can weigh heavily in custody or visitation rulings.
Although classified as civil, TPOs carry consequences that are just as disruptive—if not more so—than many criminal cases. Because the restrictions begin immediately and the risks are so high, having an experienced domestic violence attorney by your side is essential to protect your rights, challenge improper allegations, and limit the long-term damage a TPO can cause.
Contact Frye Law Group today to schedule a meeting with our BUI lawyer in Marietta!
Can You Face a TPO and Domestic Violence Charges at the Same Time?
Yes. In Georgia, the same incident can lead to both a civil Temporary Protective Order (TPO) and a criminal domestic violence case. Although they arise from the same events, they follow different tracks:
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Civil track (TPO): A TPO is requested by the alleged victim and handled in civil court. Judges can issue an emergency order within days, sometimes without hearing from you first. The judge only needs to believe it is more likely than not that family violence occurred. This lower standard makes it easier for a TPO to be granted, which is followed by the restrictions and consequences described earlier.
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Criminal track (domestic violence charges): Criminal charges are filed by police or prosecutors, not the alleged victim. These cases move through criminal court, where the standard of proof is much higher—“beyond a reasonable doubt.” They take longer to resolve but carry serious consequences such as probation, fines, jail time, and a permanent criminal record. Violating the terms of a TPO can also lead to criminal charges.
The two processes often overlap. What you say in a TPO hearing can later be used against you in the criminal case. And while a criminal conviction requires strong proof, a TPO can be issued on far less evidence—meaning you might face restrictions even if the criminal case is still pending or never results in a conviction.
For these reasons, it’s important to defend against both matters with a single, coordinated strategy since a mistake in one can easily affect the other.
Contact Frye Law Group today to schedule a meeting with our BUI lawyer in Marietta!
How Our Domestic Violence TPO Lawyer in Marietta Can Help
At Frye Law Group, we know a Temporary Protective Order can change your life overnight. A judge may issue an ex parte order with immediate restrictions, or you may receive notice of a hearing scheduled within just a few weeks. Either way, the process is fast, and the consequences can reach far beyond the courtroom—affecting your family, career, and reputation. That’s why having a lawyer who understands both the law and the local courts is essential.
Here’s how we can help you fight your domestic violence TPO:
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Navigating the legal process: We can take charge of the timeline so nothing is missed. From filing responses and subpoenas to preparing you for testimony, we ensure every step is handled on time and with precision. If an ex parte order is already in place, we focus on challenging or limiting those restrictions at the hearing. Our goal is to put you in the best possible position when you finally have your day in court.
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Challenging the allegations: Protective orders often rest on one person’s account. We can examine the petitioner’s claims closely, identify inconsistencies or motives, and highlight them through cross-examination and evidence at the hearing.
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Building a strong defense: A strong case requires evidence. We can help gather witness statements, review texts, emails, and photos, and, when necessary, call in experts such as medical professionals or child psychologists to support your version of events.
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Protecting your rights and reputation: A TPO can interfere with your home, custody rights, or job. We can fight to prevent these disruptions by pushing back against overbroad conditions and presenting the court with the full picture of how the order would impact your life. The benefit is peace of mind: protecting your family ties, safeguarding your career, and preserving your reputation so you can move forward without unnecessary damage.
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Defending related criminal charges: Many TPO cases overlap with criminal charges for family violence, assault, stalking, or related offenses. These cases carry the risk of jail time, fines, probation, and a permanent criminal record. Because our practice is rooted in criminal defense, we bring decades of trial experience to these situations. We know how prosecutors build their cases, how to challenge questionable police reports, and how to exclude statements made in civil hearings from being used unfairly in criminal court. By coordinating both defenses, we prevent missteps that could weaken your criminal case while aggressively protecting your rights in the TPO proceeding.
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Negotiating or seeking dismissal: Not every TPO case needs to end in a contested hearing. Where possible, we negotiate for dismissals, modifications, or tailored agreements that balance safety concerns with your ability to maintain family and work responsibilities.
Our experience in Cobb County courts gives us an advantage in anticipating how cases are handled locally and preparing strategies that fit the realities of this jurisdiction. You can rely on us to defend you from every angle, protecting not only your rights in court but also the future you’ve worked hard to build.
Contact Frye Law Group today to schedule a meeting with our BUI lawyer in Marietta!
Contact Frye Law Group Today
A Temporary Protective Order is not a criminal conviction, but it can restrict your rights and your family life almost immediately. Acting quickly is the only way to protect yourself from lasting consequences.
At Frye Law Group, we know how much is at stake. Our attorneys are prepared to respond fast, challenge weak or one-sided allegations, and build a defense that safeguards both your present and your future. You don’t have to face the process alone, and you should not wait until it’s too late to act.
If you have been served with an ex parte TPO or received notice of a TPO complaint, contact us for a confidential consultation. Together, let us take the next steps toward protecting your liberties and securing a fair outcome.
Contact Frye Law Group today to schedule a meeting with our BUI lawyer in Marietta!
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