You can help make a difference!

A small effort on your part can make a major impact on children and families that have been unfairly and unnecessarily destroyed by misuse of improper restraining orders and criminal charges. These mis-uses of law are often a form of retaliation against parents who speak out against injustice.

• False Allegations: One parent may falsely accuse the other of abuse to obtain a restraining order and gain temporary custody of the child.
• Impact on Custody Decisions: A restraining order can significantly affect custody arrangements, often resulting in the accused parent losing custody or having limited visitation rights.
• Difficulty in Co-Parenting: Restraining orders can complicate co-parenting arrangements, especially if there is a no-contact order in place.
• Emotional Impact on Children: Children can be emotionally affected by the conflict between their parents and the restrictions imposed by restraining orders.
• There is too much judicial discretion when it comes to restraining orders: They can be issued based on allegations alone, for offenses that do not rise to the level of domestic violence. Restraining orders too often name children in the orders in cases that do not involve the children in any way. And there is too little recourse once a restraining order is in place.
• Restraining orders are a violation of due process rights: They are often issued based on allegations alone and without evidence, and in ex parte hearings in which the restrained party is not given proper notice.

• Please contact the Napa County Board of Supervisors and the Napa County Courturge them to revoke all unlawful restraining orders and criminal charges that have been misused against parents. You can include this URL or webpage in your letters to emphasize the importance of this issue.
• Belia Ramos: 7072598277Bela Ramos: belia.ramos@countyofnapa.org;
• Supervisor Amber Manfree:  707-259-8278; Amber.Manfree@countyofnapa.org.
• Congressman Mike Thompson: 202-225-3311.