Andrew Flores – Restraining Orders Lawyers

About Andrew Flores — Criminal Defense San Diego, California

Andrew Flores is a versatile criminal defense San Diego litigator with concentrated experience in restraining order defense and prosecution — a specialized corner of California law where both civil and criminal consequences turn on the outcome of a single hearing. Licensed since 2011 and based in San Diego, Mr. Flores handles Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (DVROs), Gun Violence Restraining Orders (GVROs), Elder Abuse Restraining Orders, Civil Harassment Restraining Orders, and Workplace Violence Restraining Orders — representing clients on both sides of these proceedings in the San Diego County Superior Court. He also practices criminal defense in San Diego County’s Superior Court, including cases that arise alongside restraining order matters.

Restraining order cases in San Diego move quickly — temporary orders can be granted ex parte (without the other party present), and a permanent order hearing follows within 21 days. Missing a deadline or appearing unprepared at the hearing can result in a five-year restraining order that also triggers firearm surrender under California Penal Code §29825. Andrew Flores’s focused practice gives San Diego clients a litigator who understands both the civil procedure and the criminal law implications of restraining order proceedings.

What Clients Say

Clients of Andrew Flores describe an attorney who is direct, prepared, and skilled at presenting restraining order cases under the court’s compressed timeline. Reviews highlight his command of the procedural requirements at San Diego Superior Court’s Family Law Division and his ability to explain — clearly and without jargon — what a restraining order means for a client’s daily life, employment, and firearm rights before and after a hearing.

Criminal Defense San Diego — Practice Areas & Services

• Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (DVRO): Defense and prosecution of DVROs in San Diego County Superior Court, including emergency protective orders and permanent order hearings.
• Gun Violence Restraining Orders (GVRO): Defense against GVROs, which require immediate firearm surrender and have criminal penalties for non-compliance.
• Civil Harassment Restraining Orders: Restraining order proceedings between non-family parties — neighbors, coworkers, acquaintances — in San Diego County.
• Elder Abuse Restraining Orders: Restraining orders arising from alleged abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of elderly individuals in San Diego.
• Workplace Violence Restraining Orders: Employer-filed restraining orders against employees or third parties posing workplace threats.
• Criminal Defense: Defense of criminal charges in San Diego County Superior Court, including matters arising alongside restraining order proceedings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens at a restraining order hearing in San Diego County?

A temporary restraining order (TRO) can be granted ex parte — based only on the petitioner’s declaration, without the respondent present. The respondent is served and has the right to contest the order at a hearing scheduled within 21 days at the San Diego Superior Court Family Court at 1555 6th Ave. At that hearing, both parties present evidence and testimony before a judge decides whether to issue a five-year restraining order.

What are the consequences of a permanent restraining order in California?

A domestic violence restraining order lasting more than 30 days requires the restrained person to surrender all firearms immediately under California Penal Code §29825. Federal law also prohibits possession of firearms under a qualifying restraining order. Additionally, a restraining order may appear on background checks affecting employment, professional licensing, and housing applications — making the stakes at the hearing significant beyond just the order itself.

Can I fight a Gun Violence Restraining Order in San Diego?

Yes. California’s GVRO law (Penal Code §18100 et seq.) allows ex parte emergency orders that require immediate firearm surrender. However, the restrained person has the right to a hearing within 21 days where a judge determines whether the order should remain in place for up to five years. At that hearing, the petitioner bears the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that the respondent poses a significant danger. An attorney can challenge the evidence and cross-examine witnesses at this hearing.