A Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) is often issued without your side of the story being heard. In Louisiana, a TRO can be granted the same day someone files an accusation—before you ever walk into a courtroom. Even though it is called “temporary,” the effects can be immediate, damaging, and long-lasting.

If you were served with a TRO based on accusations of abuse, violence, threats, or harassment, you cannot ignore it. You must fight it immediately.

Here’s why:

Allowing a TRO to stand can imply guilt and may:

• Damage your reputation
   
• Raise red flags during background checks
   
• Create issues in any pending legal matters
   

• Healthcare licenses
   
• Law enforcement or security positions
   
• Teaching and education roles
   
• Government jobs
   
• Oil & gas, industrial, and TWIC-required employment
   
• Military service
   

Even private employers may suspend or terminate employees who appear in protective-order databases or who are accused of domestic abuse.

• Louisiana courts consider domestic abuse findings extremely heavilin custody decisions.

If you do not fight a TRO:

• The judge may presume you are a danger to the child or co-parent.
   
• You could lose physical custody.
   
• Visitation may be restricted, supervised, or suspended.
   
• Future custody disputes will be influenced by the TRO.
   

Once these assumptions are made in family court, they are very difficult to reverse.

This can impact:

• Gun ownership
   
• Concealed carry permits
   
• Hunting privileges
   
• Employment requiring firearms (security, law enforcement, military)
   

If a long-term protective order is issued, you can lose your gun rights for the duration of the order—and in some cases, permanently.

• Move out immediately
   
• Stay away from your own residence
   
• Restrict contact with family members
   
• Avoid certain locations
   

This disruption can affect your finances, family life, and stability.

• Employment prospects
   
• Custody cases
   
• Immigration issues
   
• Professional licensing
   

A mistake—such as replying to a text or going to a place you didn’t know they’d be—can result in criminal charges.

If you do not show up to the hearing or do not defend yourself:

• The judge can issue a long-term protective order, often lasting 6 months to 18 months, and sometimes longer.
   
• The long-term order can be used against you in future civil, criminal, and family-court matters.
   

Once a protective order is in place, reversing it is very difficult.

• Gain leverage in a divorce
   
• Influence a child custody dispute
   
• Remove someone from a home
   
• Damage someone’s reputation
   
• Retaliate emotionally or financially
   

A false allegation left unchallenged becomes a permanent mark. Your silence becomes someone else’s “proof.”

We immediately:

• Review the allegations
   
• Gather evidence proving your side
   
• Prepare your defense for the hearing
   
• Cross-examine the accuser
   
• Challenge inaccurate or exaggerated claims
   
• Work to prevent a long-term protective order
   
• Protect your parenting rights, employment, and reputation
   

A TRO is urgent. The hearing comes fast. You need representation before you step into court.

Ignoring a TRO—or waiting too long to respond—can cause lasting damage.

If you received a TRO in Louisiana, contact my office immediately. I will help you fight the allegations, protect your rights, and prevent long-term consequences that could follow you for years.