Visitation and Orders of Protection

It is difficult to get remedies such as support and visitation worked out in criminal court. The criminal court system is not well equipped to deal with such issues. If you know visitation and support may be an issue and you are in criminal court, ask the state's attorney to make your order amendable in the civil court, where family law issues are usually addressed.

It is a violation if boxes 5a, 5b, 6 or 8 are checked and the respondent does any of the following things:

• Removes the children from your care without your consent (Box 5a & 6)
• Does not return the children to you when ordered by the court to do so (Box 5b)
• Removes the children from the State of Illinois or conceals them within Illinois (Box 8)

If visitation and custody are set up through the divorce and not through the OP, failure to bring the children back will not be a VOOP. You may still call the police and make a report which could be used in the divorce case, however, he may not be charged with a crime.

If the abuser arrives for visitation under the influence of drugs or alcohol or he is acting in a violent or abusive manner, you may deny visitation. This is written on your OP right under Box 7c. on the second page. If you decide to deny visitation, it is a good idea to call the police in order to ensure your and your children's safety. If the police have any questions show them your OP and explain the situation.