Bakersfield · Kern County
Bakersfield Restraining Order Defense Lawyer
Served with a TRO or facing a restraining order hearing? What you do in the next few days can decide whether the order becomes permanent.
California restraining orders carry life-changing consequences — firearm bans, employment and licensing problems, custody restrictions, and a CLETS record visible to police and background checks. Christopher Martens has defended restraining order cases throughout Kern County since 2005 and prepares aggressive, evidence-driven responses for the contested hearing.
A Temporary Restraining Order is effective the moment you are served. Hearings are typically set within 21 days — preparation time is short.
Memberships & Affiliations
Understanding Restraining Orders In California
California courts can issue a restraining order on a one-sided declaration with no notice to you. By the time you are served, a Temporary Restraining Order is already in effect — and the contested hearing is usually only weeks away. The petitioner only has to convince the judge by a preponderance of the evidence, a much lower bar than a criminal case. Without a focused defense, a 'temporary' order can quickly become a multi-year order with firearm prohibitions, custody impacts, and a permanent CLETS record.
Restraining Order Matters Martens Law Firm Defends
- Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (DVRO)
- Civil Harassment Restraining Orders (CHRO)
- Workplace Violence Restraining Orders
- Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse Orders
- Gun Violence Restraining Orders
- Emergency Protective Orders (EPO)
- Criminal Protective Orders (CPO)
- TRO response and hearing defense
- Renewal opposition
- Modification or termination requests
- Penal Code 273.6 violation defense
- Mutual restraining order disputes
How Martens Law Firm Defends A Restraining Order Case
A restraining order hearing is your one chance to put the real story in front of the judge. We treat it the way we would treat any contested trial — with evidence, witnesses, and cross-examination — not just paperwork.
File a detailed responsive declaration
Identify and subpoena witnesses
Preserve and present text and call records
Cross-examine the petitioner
Challenge credibility and inconsistencies
Argue against firearm prohibition
Protect custody and visitation
Negotiate withdrawal or limited terms
What A Restraining Order Can Cost You
| Issue | Martens Law Defense Priority |
|---|---|
| Firearm rights | Argue against findings that trigger the ban |
| CLETS record | Push for dismissal or non-CLETS resolution |
| Employment | Limit findings that affect licensing |
| Professional licensing | Document the record for licensing boards |
| Child custody | Coordinate with family law strategy |
| Housing | Negotiate workable terms |
| Immigration | Coordinate with immigration counsel |
| Criminal exposure | Strict no-contact compliance counseling |
What Clients Say About Martens Law Firm
Verified reviews from Avvo. Read more on our testimonials page.
The Attorney You Need
"I hired Mr. Martens to represent me in Kings County. The criminal charges against me had me looking at being sentenced to life. He took my case to trial and we walked away with 3 not guilty verdicts. During my case, I had acquired 4 different lawyers and not a single one of them wanted to take my case."
Thankful For Martens
"Thanks to the law office of Christopher Martens, they spoke on my and my family's behalf, and showed the judge the person I am now and not to judge me by my past. I picked up an assault charge that would have given me my third strike, but with their help we got a much better outcome."
Very Informative And Professional
"I hired Mr. Martens for a case I thought was going to completely derail my life, but Mr. Martens and his staff helped me every step of the way. They handled everything with the utmost professionalism and were readily available to answer my questions."
Martens Is An Excellent Attorney
"I hired Christopher Martens to handle my son's case! Best choice was going with him and his amazing team to help us through the tough times. We got the results we wanted and needed. I really recommend him if you or a loved one is in need of a criminal attorney — he knows what he's doing and fights for you."
Best Decision
"Hiring Martens Law Firm was the best decision. I had searched for a lawyer I was truly happy with, and his staff was very supportive and helpful. The end results were beyond exceeded. Thank you for giving me this second chance."
An Outstanding Lawyer
"Mr. Christopher R. Martens did a fantastic job in my case with an awesome outcome in the end. What was best — he took care of everything. I did not even have to be in front of the judge once. I totally appreciated his knowledge and professionalism."
Testimonials reflect individual experiences and do not guarantee the outcome of any future case.
Restraining Order Timeline
- Step 1
Petition filed / TRO granted ex parte
- Step 2
Service on responding party
- Step 3
Response and evidence prepared
- Step 4
Contested hearing (within ~21 days)
- Step 5
Court ruling — denied or up to 5 years
- Step 6
Compliance and firearm surrender (if granted)
- Step 7
Modification or termination motions
- Step 8
Renewal hearing (before expiration)
Restraining Order Defense In Bakersfield And Kern County
Restraining order matters in Kern County are typically heard at the Kern County Superior Court in Bakersfield. Each judge approaches credibility, firearm relief, and custody overlap differently. Martens Law Firm prepares each case for the specific bench it will be heard in front of.
- Bakersfield
- Delano
- Lamont
- Mojave
- Ridgecrest
- Shafter
- Taft
- Wasco
Bakersfield Office: 1712 19th Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301
An Aggressive Response, Built Quickly
There is no time to wait once you are served. Christopher Martens prepares responsive declarations, gathers texts, photos, and witness statements, and presents a focused defense at the hearing. The goal is simple: keep your record clean, your firearms in your possession when possible, and a permanent order off the books.
- ✓ 20+ years of criminal defense experience
- ✓ 100+ jury trials
- ✓ Thousands of cases handled since 2005
- ✓ Misdemeanor and felony defense
Frequently Asked Questions
- A restraining order (also called a protective order) is a court order directing one person to stop specific conduct toward another — including contact, harassment, or coming within a set distance. California recognizes Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (DVRO), Civil Harassment Restraining Orders (CHRO), Workplace Violence Restraining Orders, and Elder Abuse Restraining Orders.
Don't Let A One-Sided Order Become Permanent
Call Martens Law Firm now to discuss the TRO, the upcoming hearing, and the strongest defense strategy for your case.