Answer:
A civil protection order is requested by an individual, while a mandatory criminal protection order is entered as part of a criminal case and may impose immediate contact restrictions.
Colorado uses different types of protection orders. A civil protection order can be requested by a person who asks a judge to restrict another person’s contact or conduct.
A mandatory criminal protection order is connected to a criminal case and is often entered when the accused first appears before a judge. In a domestic violence case, it may prohibit contact with another person or impose other limits while the case is pending.
Civil and criminal orders can overlap, and violating either one can have serious consequences. Speak with a Denver criminal defense attorney who can identify every order in effect, explain the restrictions, and challenge the orders when appropriate.