“You have a truly sharp legal mind and your courtroom presence is among the best. I am forever grateful for your two years of hard work, dedication and service to my father's case.” — R.C.

“I give Mr. Spano the highest possible recommendation. Mr. Spano helped me navigate a somewhat unorthodox legal matter, did so quickly, and always kept me informed.”

“Thanks for taking my case and getting me a not guilty verdict. You are a great lawyer. I could not asked for anything more. Please know you hold a special place in my family's heart.” — G.B.

“Many thanks for the very professional and gentlemanly way that you conducted yourself at the trial of my son. I along with all of my family were thrilled beyond words with the outcome.” — B.B..

“Thank you for assuring me that just because a good honest person makes a mistake does not mean they have to be treated like a criminal!” — D.S.

OUR PRACTICE AREAS

Are You The Target Of A Protective Order?

Protective orders are designed to protect those who feel threatened by an abusive spouse, partner or relative. They should not be taken lightly.

Unfortunately, orders of protection can be misused. Perhaps the threat was overstated, or a partner is alleging domestic abuse to gain leverage in a custody dispute. In either case, responding to a protective order requires careful guidance. Missteps could lead to further criminal consequences for you.

Attorney Michael Spano is the criminal trial lawyer in upstate New York. If you have been accused of domestic violence, he can help you defend your rights and privileges.

What Does An Order Of Protection Do?

More colloquially known as a restraining order, orders of protection in New York prevent alleged abusers from interacting with alleged victims. Specifically, they can prohibit you from:

Visiting the alleged victim’s home or workplace
Calling the alleged victim on the phone
Texting the alleged victim
Sending the alleged victim letters, gifts, flowers or anything else
Commenting on the alleged victim’s social media pages or attempting to chat with him or her via social media platforms or internet forums
Following or interacting with the alleged victim in any way

If you own any weapons or firearms, you may also be required to surrender them to the authorities, depending on the case.

As you can see, protective orders can severely limit your freedom and options for trying to resolve matters on your own. Once the law has gotten involved, you won’t be able to seek a resolution without your own legal help.

The court does not need your consent or input to issue an order of protection, so if you have been served with one, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer — like Michael Spano.

What Happens If You Violate A Protective Order?

In New York, it is mandatory for police to arrest anyone who commits family violence or violates any provision of a protective order. So, you must tread carefully when dealing with a protective order. One text message, “a quick phone call,” or even stopping by to grab your stuff can all land you in jail once an order has been served.

With more than 25 years of experience — including time served as a top Onondaga County prosecutor — Michael Spano can help you navigate these treacherous pitfalls. He can help you respond appropriately and work diligently to resolve the issue in such a way that preserves your rights and freedoms.