brk913:
You couldn't be further from the truth. First of all, a TRO you don't even need to go in front of a judge.
Temporary orders also have no burden of proof. I've seen women say "he hit me!" with NO proof EVER.
Jonathan
No offense but I am right on the money. I never said anyone needed to go before a judge for a tro. However, unless the PD are responding to a domestic disturbance and make an arrest (in which case a TRO is mandatory in CT and both parties receive the tro) a person must appear at their local PD and swear under oath to the facts as to why they are requesting such order. Within 10 days a court hearing is held to determine if just cause exists to put in force a RO for 6 months. If the courts or the PD find out the complainant is making it all up they will be prosecuted in CT. I worked for the courts for may years and saw it happen. In fact whenever a victim used to contact my office to file a "complaint" against someone on probation we demanded they come down, look us in the eye and make their complaint under oath and in writing.
Again, this is not the norm, it is a rare occurance that a spiteful spouse or domestic partner will do this. If you are in such a situation I suggest you get out of it, better to be alone than worrying about what the crazy (significant other) will do to make your life miserable next. Pack your stuff and get away from such a person.
My simple point was this, the vast MAJORITY of people have nothing to fear. They will not be arrested, they will not be the victim of a false complaint or RO. Don't believe me? Ask as many people as you can or ask a group of random strangers on the street if they have ever been arrested for any reason or had a RO taken out agaist them. You will find the percentage to very low if existant at all.
I am not saying it does not ever happen, it just is not something a law abiding citizen really needs to worry about unless they already know they are putting themselves out there by either actually breaking the law, living in a domestic situation that probably should not exist or as in Rich's case performing an action that although allowed by law is still not well known amongst the general public and law enforcement.
Again, I have no fear of being arrested (although I do OC at times and am willing to face the consequences of doing so in this state as I know eventually I would be exonerated in court). Other than that "risky behavior" I do not break the law, I do not associate with criminals, I do not put myself in a position to be accused of breaking the law, I do not get into confrontations with others (physical or verbal) and I have a harmonious relationship with my spouse and family.
As a fellow gun owner I hope you are in the same situation as me. If you are not I suggest you change your course of action so that you are not arrested for any reason and get out of any relationship where you could be falsely accused of DV and get an RO put out on you. Again, as far as the OC goes, if you are willing to do it and put your neck out there you need to be willing to accept the consequences. Not saying I agree with Police Officers who arrest someone for lawful activity, it is clearly wrong but unfortunately it is the situation right now in CT. If more people like Rich were to get out there and be willing to "take one for the team" if need be the situation of false arrests for simply OC would end in CT.