Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in California
do i need a lawyer for a hearing to a restraining order ??? or can i wait and go to the hearing and see what happens and then ask for an extension to retain a lawyer???
2 Answers from Attorneys
Depends if the first hearing is only for a restraining order, where the judge will have a full hearing, or if it is a temporary order only to last 21 days. If it is the second hearing, you will likely want a lawyer, since if the court goes againts you, it could last 3 years.
Waiting and seeing what happens is a way of drifting through life and allowing adverse consequences to occur by default. Your objective should be to make absolutely sure there is NOT a restraining order on you at the end of the hearing. If you go to the hearing to "see what happens," what will happen is that you'll lose the case, there'll be a restraining order against you, and in a couple of days you'll be in jail because they accused you of violating the order. Or you can get a lawyer and have the lawyer file timely written opposition.