Las Vegas Restraining Order Defense Lawyer

Defending Against Protective Orders in Nevada

Protective orders in Nevada move fast, and the consequences begin immediately. A temporary protective order (TPO) can restrict where you live, who you can contact, your ability to see your children, and your right to possess firearms. 

When a protective order is issued, your next steps can determine whether it becomes an extended order, triggers criminal charges, or affects related matters like custody.

At Goodman Law Group, we represent individuals who need help defending against protective orders. Our focus is on safeguarding your due process rights, challenging allegations, and preventing temporary orders from evolving into serious legal consequences.

Why Clients Turn to Goodman Law Group

• Experience defending against TPOs and EPOs tied to domestic violence, harassment, and custody disputes
• Strategic intervention to prevent orders from becoming permanent or leading to criminal charges
• Detailed understanding of Metro’s protective-order procedures and Clark County court practices
• Discretion and reputation protection for clients facing sensitive allegations

If you were served with a protective order, do not contact the petitioner and do not appear at a hearing without legal representation. Call (702) 825-7854 for a free consultation with our Las Vegas restraining order defense attorney, Ross Goodman.

The Experience Behind Your Defense

Attorney Ross C. Goodman has leveraged decades of experience to help hundreds of clients protect their rights, freedoms, and futures. 

He is also one of only two lawyers in Nevada who is both:

• A Certified Specialist in Criminal Trial Advocacy (State Bar of Nevada)
• Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law by the NBTA

Widely recognized for disciplined preparation and courtroom skill, Goodman has secured dismissals and favorable resolutions in some of Nevada’s most serious and high-profile criminal cases. His background as a U.S. Marine Corps Major and his deep Las Vegas roots shape a defense approach built on precision, strategy, and credibility before judges and prosecutors.

Understanding Protective Orders in Nevada

Protective orders, also called restraining orders, are civil orders, but they often arise from situations that can quickly evolve into criminal cases, such as domestic disputes, neighbor conflicts, workplace allegations, or contentious breakups. Many are issued based solely on the petitioner’s sworn statement, before the accused ever appears in court.

Nevada issues two primary types of domestic-related protective orders:

Temporary Protective Orders (TPOs)

• Granted without your presence (“ex parte”)
• Typically last up to 45 days
• Can restrict contact, communication, residence, proximity to certain locations, and firearm possession
• Violations can result in arrest and criminal charges under Nevada law

Extended Protective Orders (EPOs)

• Issued only after a hearing where both sides may be heard
• Can last up to one year
• Often include stricter conditions and expanded restrictions
• Violations can carry enhanced penalties and long-term consequences

Because the standard of proof is lower than in criminal court, protective orders are sometimes granted on incomplete, disputed, or one-sided information. This makes early legal intervention critical, especially to prevent a temporary order from becoming an extended order lasting up to a year.

How Protective Orders Affect the Accused

Even when no criminal charge has been filed, a protective order can immediately affect your life:

• You may be ordered to leave your home or stay away from a partner, spouse, or family member.
• You may be prohibited from contacting your children except through narrowly defined channels or supervised visitation.
• You may be required to surrender firearms and may face federal firearm restrictions.
• Your employer, professional board, or security-clearance holder may need to be notified.
• Protective orders and related police reports can surface in background checks, custody disputes, and licensing decisions.

For many people, the protective order becomes the first step in a larger legal problem: a parallel domestic violence case, CPS involvement, or a future allegation of violating the order. A key part of the defense is limiting that cascade from the outset.

Common Issues in Protective Order Cases

Protective orders do not always arise from clear-cut threats or violence. 

Goodman Law Group frequently handles cases involving:

• Emotionally charged disputes – Arguments during breakups, separations, or custody changes where one party later seeks an order to gain distance or control.
• Mutual conflict portrayed as one-sided abuse – Physical or verbal confrontations where both parties participated, but only one is labeled as the aggressor.
• Strategic use in custody or divorce – Orders sought primarily to influence temporary custody, possession of the home, or leverage in negotiations.
• Alcohol-related misunderstandings – Events on or near the Strip, in casinos, hotels, or nightlife settings where alcohol and patchy memory complicate the story.
• Uncorroborated accusations – Sworn statements that are not supported by medical records, witnesses, or objective evidence.

These patterns do not automatically invalidate an order, but they underscore why courts need a full picture, not just the first version of events.