When a Texas judge issues a no-contact order, it becomes the center of gravity in your case. It defines what you can do, where you can go, and whom you can speak to. Violating it can escalate charges, toughen bond conditions, and poison how the judge sees you. I have watched strong defenses crumble because a client responded to one late-night text or stopped by a shared apartment to grab a jacket. The law treats these orders seriously, and so should you.
This guide breaks down how no-contact orders work in Texas, what counts as a violation, and the practical steps I give clients to avoid violating them. It is written from the perspective of a Criminal Defense Lawyer who handles assault charges, family violence allegations, and related bond conditions across Texas courts.
What a no-contact order actually means in a Texas assault case
Texas uses several tools to control contact between an accused person and a complaining witness. The specifics vary, but they share a common DNA: keep the parties apart and prevent harassment, intimidation, or ongoing harm.
The most common versions are:
- Magistrate’s order of emergency protection. Often issued after an arrest in an assault family violence case. It can last from 31 to 61 days, or longer if a weapon was involved. Bond conditions. A judge can assign no contact as a condition of release. Violate it and you risk revocation and a return to jail. Protective orders under the Family Code. These are civil but carry criminal penalties if violated. They can last up to two years, and sometimes longer under specific findings.
The language matters. Some orders bar all contact, direct or indirect. Others allow limited contact for child exchanges or third-party logistics. Read the document you were served with, then read it again with your lawyer. The restrictions are not suggestions. If the order says do not contact, the court means zero contact, not polite contact, not “just to check in,” not “just texting the kids’ mom.”
What counts as “contact”: more than a phone call
Clients often misunderstand the breadth of “contact.” Courts do not limit it to phone calls or in-person conversations. If an order forbids contact, assume the following can violate it:
- Direct messages on any platform: SMS, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, Telegram, gaming chat, you name it. Indirect messages through friends or family: If you ask a cousin to deliver a message, that is still contact. Location-based contact: Showing up at a protected address or workplace, even if you “didn’t intend to see” the person, can be a violation if the order restricts presence at certain places. Reactions or tags: Social media reactions, comments, tags, and subtweets can all count if the message reaches the protected person. Smart devices and shared accounts: If you trigger a shared Ring doorbell, leave a note on a shared cloud account, or adjust a thermostat in a shared smart home, that can be interpreted as contact or harassment.
There is also the issue of “incidental contact.” Running into someone at a grocery store is not automatically a violation if the order doesn’t ban proximity, but once you know the protected person is present, you must leave immediately. The longer you stay, the worse it looks. If the order bans being within a certain distance, incidental contact quickly becomes a violation if you remain within that radius.
“But they contacted me first” and other common traps
The complaining witness is not the judge. Even if the other person calls you, sends a kind text, or begs to talk, the order binds you, not them. I have seen this exact scenario doom clients. They think they are being cooperative, they reply to calm things down, and suddenly the State has an easy motion to revoke bond.
If you receive a message from the protected person, do not respond. Save the message, screenshot it with visible timestamps, and tell your Defense Lawyer. If there is a legitimate need to communicate, your Criminal Defense Lawyer can request a modification of the order, lay out the reason, and propose guardrails the court might accept.
“No indirect contact” means you cannot use go-betweens
People try to be clever. They have a friend pass a message, use a child’s tablet, or ask a neighbor to deliver papers. In court, this reads as sneaking around the order and undermines credibility. If you need to handle shared property, child logistics, or bills, talk to your lawyer about setting up neutral, court-approved channels. Many courts will allow exchanges through attorneys or supervised messaging platforms designed for co-parenting.
The edge cases judges care about
A few scenarios show up repeatedly in assault defense work, especially with family violence accusations:
- Shared housing. If the order kicks you out of the residence, you cannot move back in because the other person “gave permission.” Police respond to these calls constantly. Work with your Criminal Defense Lawyer to plan a one-time, law-enforcement escort to retrieve essentials. Courts and officers often allow a brief property pick-up if arranged in advance. Child contact. Orders sometimes carve out exceptions for child-related communication or exchanges, but you must follow the exact method and location specified. If the order requires third-party exchange points or supervised exchanges, treat those rules as gospel. Mutual restraining orders. Two overlapping orders can create confusion. You are still responsible for following your order, regardless of what the other person’s order says. Coordinate with counsel to harmonize the boundaries and avoid accidental violations. Digital clutter. Auto-refreshing “memories,” a shared Apple ID, a car title app, or smart home devices can cause unintentional pings. Disable shared access immediately. Courts do not view “I forgot to log out” as a strong defense. Work and school overlap. If you share a campus or workplace, notify your supervisor or campus security of the order. Ask your lawyer about seeking a modification to define safe routes, entrances, or schedules. Take the burden of avoidance seriously.
Criminal penalties for violating a no-contact order in Texas
Texas Penal Code section 25.07 covers violation of certain court orders or conditions related to family violence and similar matters. The charge is typically a Class A misdemeanor, which can mean up to a year in county jail and a fine up to $4,000. Aggravating factors can elevate the offense, including prior convictions, stalking behavior, or violence during the violation. Violations of bond conditions can also trigger revocation and new charges. Protective order violations can stack across separate incidents, giving the State leverage to file multiple counts.
Prosecutors love easy proof. A screenshot of a text, a Ring camera clip showing you at the door, a social media tag, or the protected person’s testimony will often do the trick. Even if a jury might acquit on the underlying assault, a clear violation can stick. That is why your assault defense lawyer will focus first on keeping you violation-free while the case unfolds.
How judges evaluate a violation
Context matters. Here is how it tends to play out:
- Intent. Judges look for willful disregard. “I replied once to say I can’t talk” is better than “We went back and forth for two days.” That said, even a one-word reply can support a violation if the order says zero contact. Pattern. A single brief misstep might draw a warning. A pattern signals risk and bad judgment, which invites stricter conditions. Safety. If the violation includes threats, intoxication, stalking, or showing up late at night, expect aggressive action from the court. Credibility. Judges remember who took their orders seriously. Good reporting to your lawyer, quick course corrections, and documented compliance help.
Tactical steps to stay compliant from day one
When I meet a new client released on bond with a no-contact order, we build a compliance plan the same day. That plan usually includes:
- Create separation from day-to-day triggers. Change routines that might lead to accidental contact. If you always shop at the same store the other person uses, pick a different location for a while. Tell friends not to invite you to shared hangouts. Clean your digital life. Log out of shared accounts. Disable shared photo streams, calendars, and geolocation. Unlink smart home access. Block the protected person on every platform to avoid temptation or accidental taps. Save their contact info under a name that warns you if you somehow see it, such as “DO NOT CONTACT - COURT ORDER.” Third-party screening. If you share children, line up a neutral third party or a co-parenting app approved by the court. Keep all communications within that approved channel, no side texts, no improvised phone calls. Evidence discipline. Save any inbound messages without responding. Keep screenshots in a secure folder. If contact happens accidentally, document the date, time, location, and your immediate exit. Calendar the expiration but assume it can be extended. Magistrate’s orders can expire, but bond conditions and protective orders can change with a court setting. Never assume it is over until your lawyer confirms on the record.
When modification makes sense
Life does not stop for a no-contact order. There are legitimate reasons to ask a judge to tailor the boundaries:
- Child exchange protocols that are impossible to follow with a work schedule. Access to a residence to collect property beyond a quick grab. Access to a shared business or farm where property may suffer if neglected. A need for limited, logged communication through attorneys or supervised platforms.
A judge is more receptive if you show a specific plan that reduces risk: a defined location for exchanges, third-party supervision, limited hours, or a court-approved app. Your Criminal Defense Lawyer will propose guardrails that address the court’s safety concerns while solving your practical problem.
The role of substance use and anger in violations
In assault cases, alcohol or stress often sits beneath the conflict. Judges know this. If a violation occurs during drinking or an argument, expect the court to add conditions like SCRAM alcohol monitoring, random testing, or counseling. Proactive steps can be a shield. If you enroll in an anger management class, a batterer’s intervention program, or substance use counseling early, your lawyer can present that to the court as evidence you are reducing risks. It also helps in negotiations with the prosecutor.
Building credibility with the court while the case is pending
Credibility is currency. You build it by meeting every deadline, attending every hearing on time, and keeping your lawyer in the loop. Judges take note when a defendant acts like the most responsible person in the room. That includes calm body language in court, respectful interactions with staff, and no rolling of eyes or head shakes when the other side talks. It seems minor, but it affects how close a judge holds you to the fire.
For younger clients, especially those working with a Juvenile Lawyer or Juvenile Defense Lawyer in juvenile court, the stakes are similar even if the procedures differ. Compliance signals maturity and insight, which can influence everything from diversion to disposition. Adults with prior records face harsher assumptions, so demonstrating compliance early can counter those assumptions.
The hidden cost of violations: leverage at the bargaining table
Plea discussions often turn on risk. A prosecutor who trusts you to comply with orders might offer a deferred adjudication or a treatment-oriented path. Stack two or three violations on your file and that possibility fades. A clean compliance record is a practical asset. It can be the difference between a dismissal later for a lack of proof and a plea to a reduced charge, or between probation terms you can live with and a sentence that derails your work and family life.
From the defense side, I would rather argue the merits of an assault allegation than spend time triaging a no-contact slip. Every violation steals bandwidth from your Criminal Defense Lawyer and gives the State a talking point. Avoiding violations keeps your defense focused on the evidence: credibility problems in the complainant’s story, 911 timing gaps, bodycam contradictions, or medical records that do not fit the allegation.
If you think you already violated the order
Do not panic, and do not scramble to erase evidence or message anyone. Preserve what happened. Contact your Criminal Defense Lawyer immediately and be honest. We can often triage the situation:
- If the contact was minimal and you withdrew immediately, we may be able to preempt a motion to revoke by notifying the court of corrective steps and counseling. If law enforcement is already involved, your lawyer can handle communication with the prosecutor and, if needed, arrange a safe surrender rather than a surprise arrest at work. If safety concerns exist for either party, your lawyer can coordinate with the court to adjust conditions that reduce risk while respecting your rights.
Trying to explain it yourself to officers or the protected person usually makes it worse. Anything you say can be used to prove the violation, even if your intentions were good.
How other charges can interact with no-contact orders
Assault, harassment, stalking, interference with child custody, violation of a protective order, and even certain property crimes can intertwine. A message that looks benign to you could be charged as harassment if it contains repeated contact or veiled threats. An uninvited presence on a porch can look like trespassing if the order bars you from the address. Substance-related charges, like DUI, can also impact bond conditions if alcohol was a factor in the underlying incident, leading a judge to add a no-contact order with sobriety requirements enforced through testing.
Clients sometimes ask whether hiring a specialized murder lawyer, drug lawyer, or DUI Defense Lawyer matters when the case is not exactly that. The key is experience with the specific mix of Criminal Law at play. For assault or family violence, an assault defense lawyer or an assault lawyer familiar with the local judges and prosecutors will understand how no-contact orders are enforced on the ground. If your case crosses into other territory, your primary Criminal Defense Lawyer can coordinate with niche counsel as needed.
What to expect at a motion to revoke or modify bond hearing
If the State claims you violated a no-contact condition, your lawyer will receive a motion to revoke or modify bond. At the hearing, the State’s burden is lower than at trial. The judge can act on credible evidence or even reliable hearsay. Police testimony, screenshots, and the protected person’s statements can suffice.
Your defense may include:
- Challenging the reliability of evidence: timestamps, metadata, authenticity of screenshots, or whether the contact was truly you. Context showing accidental exposure followed by immediate withdrawal, such as driving past a street where the protected person happened to be. Evidence of proactive compliance steps and lack of risk: counseling enrollment, stable work, community ties, and prior clean months on bond. A concrete plan to prevent future issues: new residence arrangements, device restrictions, supervised exchange plans, or geofencing solutions where appropriate.
Sometimes we negotiate a bond modification as an alternative to revocation: stricter conditions, check-ins, or monitoring in exchange for staying out of custody. Results depend heavily on credibility, the severity of the violation, and the judge’s history.
Social media: the hidden boomerang
The number of cases damaged by a careless post would stagger you. Even if you do not contact the protected person, posts that mention the incident, allude to facts, taunt the situation, or celebrate drinking can backfire. Prosecutors view such posts as windows into your judgment and temperament. Juries see them too if the case goes to trial. Clean up your presence, tighten privacy settings, and stop posting about the case or your nights out. Better yet, pause social media until the case is resolved.
Practical scripts and workarounds that help in real life
A few tiny habits can save you from spiraling:
- If your phone lights up with a message from the protected person, set a rule: lock the screen, take one screenshot to preserve evidence, and call your lawyer. No response, no clever rebuttal, no emojis. If you walk into a restaurant and see the protected person, pivot and leave immediately. Pay the check at the host stand if needed, or walk out and settle up by phone. If friends pressure you to talk or pass a message, give them a single line: “Court order. Not allowed. Don’t put me in a bad spot.” If you must retrieve property, coordinate an officer standby through your lawyer. Do not ad-lib a quick stop-in because you “know their schedule.”
Small disciplines early in the case prevent big problems later.
How a seasoned defense lawyer manages the risk
From the moment you hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer, good representation combines legal strategy with risk control. Here is what I do in practice:
- Get and explain the exact text of the order, highlighting any landmines like indirect contact or banned locations. Map the client’s routines and identify potential collision points, from work routes to social spots. Build a record of compliance: approved communication channels, counseling signups, and property retrieval logs. Open a line with the prosecutor to report legitimate issues quickly, which can head off misunderstandings before they become motions. Prepare for contingencies, including a written plan for what the client does if accidental contact happens.
This approach helps the court see a defendant who respects the process. Judges notice. So do prosecutors.
When the alleged victim wants contact
It happens often: the protected person reaches out, asks to reconcile, or needs help with kids or bills. The law still says you cannot make contact unless the order is modified. Your lawyer can file a motion to amend conditions. Judges consider safety, the nature of the underlying allegation, and whether both parties truly want contact. Some courts will allow limited, documented communication through attorneys or co-parenting apps. Others will not. Do not take matters into your own hands. A single misstep can create a new case that overshadows the original.
Record-keeping that pays dividends
Keep a simple compliance folder for your case. Include:
- A copy of the order and any later modifications. Screenshots of any inbound contact from the protected person. Proof of counseling, classes, or treatment if applicable. Logs of child exchanges or officer standbys, with dates, times, and locations.
You might never need it. But when the State claims you violated, this folder can be the difference between arguing from memory and presenting a clean, documented story.
Final thoughts from the defense table
No-contact orders are guardrails, not suggestions. They can feel rigid, even unfair, especially when daily life is tangled with the protected person through children, housing, or finances. But the fastest way to worsen an assault case in Texas is to treat the order casually. A single text, a quick visit, or a snarky post can undo months of progress.
If you are facing assault charges or dealing with a protective order, talk to an experienced assault defense lawyer who understands the local courts, the unwritten rules, and the traps that catch people new to the process. A good Criminal Defense Lawyer will protect your record in two ways: by attacking the State’s evidence on the underlying charge and by steering you around violations that give the State easy wins. That combination is how you keep options open, preserve your leverage, and give yourself a genuine chance to move past the case with your life intact.
For parents navigating juvenile implications, a Juvenile Crime Lawyer or Juvenile Defense Lawyer applies the same compliance principles, tailored for the juvenile system’s rehabilitative focus. For cases that cross into alcohol or substance issues, a DUI Lawyer or DUI Defense Lawyer can integrate sobriety conditions with the no-contact framework.
The bottom line: respect the order, build a routine that keeps you clear of contact, and let your Cowboy Law Group Criminal Defense Lawyer lawyer handle the communication and modifications. That discipline is not just about staying out of jail this week. It is about keeping your defense strong for the outcome that matters most.