C'est la vie
Junior Member
What is the name of your state? CA
Here is my situation:
My ex boyfriend of less than 2 months filed a restraining order on me for email threats after we broke up. I hired a lawyer because I was scared what he would do with a restraining order (he is mad) and also because I couldn't get down to Orange county to file the DV form 120 to defend myself. I paid a retainer of $1500, and went to court where the judge issued a continuance for us to come to a civil compromise which would be his attorney fees and counseling which would total $2,500 and $800 respectively. That was a bit much for me, as I am a full time student, but said I was willing to pay to not have this go on my record. The petitioner now wants $4000 now, and I said no. My question is if I back out of the civil compromise entirely, where I will already owe my own lawyer $2,000 because of going back to trial, and possibly court ordered counseling....what is the worst that can happen? Petitioner also had filed a police report and says he wants to bring criminal charges against me through the District attorney. How likely would it be that the DA would file criminal charges against me when all I have done was send a threatening email, and never hurt him? I also have abided by the TRO and have not contacted him at all. To agree to the minimun civil compromise will total over $6,000 and to meet his new request would cost $8,000 to $9,000 in all. Is backing out an option? I haven't signed anything. I can't afford even the minimum to agree with him, and I can't go to work untill this quarter is over because I have too many classes. I have given up on working for FBI or IRS, so what is the worst that can happen now do you think?
Here is my situation:
My ex boyfriend of less than 2 months filed a restraining order on me for email threats after we broke up. I hired a lawyer because I was scared what he would do with a restraining order (he is mad) and also because I couldn't get down to Orange county to file the DV form 120 to defend myself. I paid a retainer of $1500, and went to court where the judge issued a continuance for us to come to a civil compromise which would be his attorney fees and counseling which would total $2,500 and $800 respectively. That was a bit much for me, as I am a full time student, but said I was willing to pay to not have this go on my record. The petitioner now wants $4000 now, and I said no. My question is if I back out of the civil compromise entirely, where I will already owe my own lawyer $2,000 because of going back to trial, and possibly court ordered counseling....what is the worst that can happen? Petitioner also had filed a police report and says he wants to bring criminal charges against me through the District attorney. How likely would it be that the DA would file criminal charges against me when all I have done was send a threatening email, and never hurt him? I also have abided by the TRO and have not contacted him at all. To agree to the minimun civil compromise will total over $6,000 and to meet his new request would cost $8,000 to $9,000 in all. Is backing out an option? I haven't signed anything. I can't afford even the minimum to agree with him, and I can't go to work untill this quarter is over because I have too many classes. I have given up on working for FBI or IRS, so what is the worst that can happen now do you think?