People from all walks of life run into legal issues. There's a misconception that all "criminals" are the same or have similar backgrounds. But even someone like your next door neighbor could have a criminal charge in her past, present or future.

Even someone who works for the legal system can face legal disputes, such as a Maricopa County Justice of the Peace. Last week, the local man was arrested outside of his wife's home for allegedly violating the terms of a restraining order that she had filed against him.

According to Arizona reports, the defendant was not supposed to be near his wife's home. Exactly why the wife in this case sought and was granted an order of protection is undisclosed. A court generally grants a restraining order if there is sufficient reason to believe that the filer faces the threat of harm or harassment.

Family law disputes can sometimes lead to restraining orders, due to the intense emotional toll issues such as child custody decisions can take on a parent. In this Arizona case, the defendant was reportedly at his wife's home to discuss the couple's visitation agreement and his parental rights regarding their three kids. The dispute resulted in both of the parents calling the police. Authorities arrested the defendant when they arrived and discovered that a restraining order prohibited him from being there.

As you can see with this case, a restraining order or order of protection has a huge and emotional impact on a person's life. The case involves a father who is apparently desperate to see his kids. Now that he has violated the order, his freedoms could be further limited if he doesn't get the vigilant legal defense he needs to protect his future.

Source

Tucson Citizen: "Justice of Peace accused of violating restraining order," Cale Ottens, 22 Jul. 2011