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Protective Orders

Throughout the years the Texas Legislature has created a system of legal protections for victims of family violence. Protective orders have been the primary civil legal remedy since 1979. The advantage of these orders is the criminal penalty that occurs when the orders are disobeyed. Over time, protective orders have come to protect not only members of the same family but members of the same household and individuals who have or have had a dating relationship and victims of sexual assault as well. The District Attorney’s Office is committed to helping these victims obtain enforceable protective orders.

Presently, the three secretaries from the Juvenile Law and Department of Family and Protective Services sections conduct a preliminary screening of protective order applicants. Upon passing this initial inquiry, an applicant meets with a prosecutor who then handles the case from the intake stage, through filing and until disposition. Currently, the prosecutors from the Juvenile Law and Department of Family and Protective Services sections handle these responsibilities on a rotation basis.

Mr. Knapp received his Bachelor of Science Degree from The Ohio State University in 1992, majoring in Transportation and Logistics. He worked in the trucking industry for Roadway Packaging System (now a part of FedEx) and T&M Express until entering law school. He graduated from University of Denver College of Law with his Juris Doctor Degree in May 2004. He began his career with the Collin County District Attorney's Office in December 2004.

Rhonda Zara is a felony legal secretary currently assigned to the Juvenile Law Section. She has been with the office since May 2001.

Jeannette Tyler received her B.S. degree in Political Science with Emphasis on Legal Assistant from Texas A&M-Commerce in 2002. Prior to joining the District Attorney's office in September 2006, she worked as a paralegal/office manager for a law firm in Greenville, Texas. She is a member of the Legal Assistants' Advisory Board at Texas A&M-Commerce.