My question involves restraining orders in the State of: Illinois
4 days ago my girlfriend (now ex-girlfriend) filed an order of protection against me. The order was filed under false pretenses and I'm positive it was filed in order to harass me and make my life more difficult.
In the order she states that that I've been stalking her and that I've been abusive. Not once have I done either and I've never had any criminal charges filed against me. I have phone records and text messages to prove she's been calling me and begging me to come see her. She has some bruises incurred from a night of heavy drinking and not being careful, but she is trying to say they are from me.
She is doing everything she can to get me into to trouble by sending me messages directly and through other people. I answered one of her messages in a completely non threatening way, to which she reported me to the police as abusive. She wanted to have me arrested, but the police did not follow through with it because it was non threatening.
She made this whole thing public on the internet. Today, When a mutual friend defended me, she was threatening to get me arrested for third party harassment.
Honestly, I am scared and I know she's just trying to make my life difficult. She's obviously not scared of me. I'm curious what my rights are and how I can fight this prior to the court date. There's still 16 more days until the court date, but these last 4 have already been hell for me.
Also, should I hire a lawyer to help me?
Thank you for any help.

