Pictured above: Jay Mariotti. Source: ESPN.

Jay Mariotti, a former ESPN personality, is being charged with felony stalking, corporal injury on a spouse or domestic partner and assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury. Additionally, he is being charged with two misdemeanor counts of not obeying court orders after Mariotti was ordered to stay away from his ex-girlfriend in April. That same day he confronted his ex-girlfriend and allegedly shouted at her, took her cell phone away and then pulled some of her hair out.

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge ordered him to stand trial for all of these charges. Mariotti has pleaded not guilty to all charges. If he is convicted of these charges, he faces up to five years in prison. Mariotti remains on probation for a misdemeanor domestic violence case from August 2010.

A protective order is issued by the court to prevent someone from coming into contact with another person.  They are often issued in cases of domestic violence. Domestic violence is when a person assaults a family member, spouse or dating partner. If you are convicted of domestic violence, you face jail/prison time, fines, probation, and anger management classes or counseling. Additionally, your reputation is affected. Therefore, if you are charged with violating a restraining/protective order, domestic violence, or assault, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney right away to assist you.