Your home & belongings
Residence exclusions and distance restrictions can affect where you live and how you retrieve essential property.
FOR THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY
Your side
deserves to
be heard.
Protection order defense in
Snohomish County Superior Court.
Being named in a petition can turn your life upside down. You may feel misrepresented. You may feel you’re the one who needs protection. Start with a lawyer who will listen—and help you respond.
Let’s talk about your case →Just served? Start here ↓CLARITY. PREPARATION. A VOICE IN COURT.Everett, Washington / Griffen Law Office
A HEARING COMING UP?
Time matters. Keep every page you received, follow the order, and get advice before contacting the other party.
Call (425) 405-0016 →01 / A CLEARER WAY FORWARD
You don’t have to make
sense of this alone.
“That isn’t what happened.”
“They left out the context.”
“Why am I the one facing an order?”
If those thoughts sound familiar, the next step is to turn your account into a focused response: what happened, what the evidence shows, and how the law applies.
Chris Griffen helps you identify what matters, address difficult facts directly, and prepare for the decisions the court will make. The goal is a clear presentation of your position, supported by the record.
Start with a conversation →WHAT’S AT STAKE
It’s a civil case.
The impact is personal.
An order can reach far beyond the courtroom. We look at the specific restrictions requested and what they could mean in your daily life.
Your children & communication
Orders may restrict contact, affect residential arrangements, and interact with an existing parenting plan.
Your firearms & legal exposure
Weapons surrender requirements need prompt attention. Certain violations of a civil order can lead to criminal charges.
Legal framework: RCW 7.105.310 · RCW 9.41.800
02 / IF YOU’VE JUST BEEN SERVED
Take a breath.
Then take these steps.
You don’t need a perfect explanation before you call. Start with the papers and your hearing date.
Read the actual order.
Review every page, including contact restrictions, protected people, locations, and any weapons order. Follow it while you challenge it. Don’t assume an invitation from the other party changes its terms.
Protect the evidence.
Keep complete text conversations, emails, photographs, and existing recordings. Save originals and dates. Write a private timeline and identify witnesses with firsthand knowledge.
Prepare before the hearing.
Prepare a sworn response with relevant exhibits. Confirm filing, service, and appearance requirements. A response involves more than showing up with screenshots on your phone.
Get a plan for the overlap.
Tell your lawyer about related criminal charges, parenting cases, other orders, and urgent needs such as housing or work tools. Statements in one case may affect another.
03 / THE LAW, IN PLAIN LANGUAGE
The court needs
evidence.
Let’s give it context.
Washington’s civil protection order framework is in Chapter 7.105 RCW.
At the full hearing, the petitioner must prove the criteria for the requested order by a preponderance of the evidence—generally, more likely than not. The criteria depend on the type of order. A persuasive response addresses those criteria and the evidence supporting or contradicting them.
Read RCW 7.105.225 →Domestic violenceAntiharassmentStalkingSexual assaultVulnerable adultExtreme risk
Each type has distinct requirements. Extreme risk orders concern firearm access and follow additional procedures. We begin by identifying exactly what has been filed.
04 / QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKING
Honest answers.
A practical next step.
What if I’m the person who needs protection?+
Your safety concerns deserve to be evaluated. Defending against a petition does not automatically give you an order against the petitioner. We can assess whether the facts support a separate petition or counter-petition and how that fits with your defense.
RCW 7.105.310(4)(b) →Does a temporary order mean I’ve already lost?+
No. A temporary order can be entered before the court hears your response. It still must be followed. The next hearing is an important opportunity to address the allegations and requested restrictions with evidence and a prepared response.
If temporary relief was denied, is the case over?+
Not necessarily. A hearing on the petition may still be scheduled even when a temporary order was denied. Check the hearing notice and court record. Don’t assume you can skip the hearing.
RCW 7.105.305(3) →What if the allegations are false or missing context?+
Focus on specific statements and the records that support your account. Complete conversations, a clear chronology, and witnesses with direct knowledge can be more useful than broad accusations about the petitioner’s motives. Bring the difficult facts too, so they can be addressed rather than become a surprise.
Can I contact them if they contact me first?+
Do not treat their message or invitation as permission to ignore the order. The written terms control. Save the communication and get advice about any permitted response. Violating certain restrictions can lead to arrest or criminal charges.
RCW 7.105.450 →Can I get my belongings or work equipment?+
Start with the order. Don’t arrange a visit that violates its contact or location restrictions. We can review whether the order allows a lawful retrieval process or whether court authorization is needed.
What if I need more time or a remote hearing?+
Raise that promptly. A continuance requires court action and may leave temporary restrictions in place. Remote appearances are addressed by RCW 7.105.205, including a request deadline of three judicial days before the hearing. Confirm the court’s directions for your case; don’t assume a request excuses attendance.
RCW 7.105.205 →Can an existing order be changed or ended?+
Possibly. For domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and antiharassment orders, RCW 7.105.500 sets a process for modification or termination. A respondent must provide supporting facts, and the court must find adequate cause before setting a hearing. Different provisions govern vulnerable adult and extreme risk orders.
RCW 7.105.500 →What should I bring to the first conversation?+
The petition, all orders, hearing notice, case number, service date, and a short timeline. Have related case information and key evidence available. We’ll discuss the work needed, availability, and fees before you decide whether to hire the firm.
YOUR ATTORNEY
Chris Griffen
A straightforward conversation.
A carefully prepared response.
Chris’s background includes prosecution and criminal defense. That perspective matters when a civil protection order involves allegations that may also carry criminal consequences.
Based in Everett, Griffen Law Office brings a practical approach to the evidence, the court process, and the decisions you need to make.
Meet the firm →LET’S START WITH YOUR SIDE
You have a hearing.
You should have
a plan.
Call Griffen Law Office to discuss representation in Snohomish County Superior Court. If your hearing is close, tell us the date when you call.
(425) 405-0016 →chris@everettdefense.com →