COURT ORDERS

Depending on your situation, you may be able to obtain a court order prohibiting a person from contacting or harassing you in any way.

There are different type of court orders, which you can learn about on this page. In the event you have a life-threatening emergency, please call 911 immediately.

DON’T BE INTIMIDATED OR OVERWHELMED

There is a great deal of information about restraining orders, also known as protective orders, on this page. Please follow these simple steps to make the process easier for yourself.

1. Locate on this page the type of order you need
2. Click on the INSTRUCTIONS tab to find out what you need to do
3. Click on the WHERE TO FILE tab to find the court nearest you
4. Click on the HELP tab to get assistance with the paperwork (limited to certain areas)

EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE ORDERS (EPO)

An Emergency Protective Order (EPO) is initiated by Law Enforcement by getting approval from a Judge (can be done 24/7) when there is a serious threat. Once a judge signs off on the EPO, Law Enforcement will serve the restrained person and the EPO is effective immediately and can last up to 7 days before it expires. Within the 7 days, the protected person should go file a Temporary Restraining Order to continue having a protection order in place.

CIVIL HARASSMENT ORDERS

In general, civil harassment is abuse, threats of abuse, stalking, sexual assault, or serious harassment by someone you have not dated and do NOT have a close relationship with, like a neighbor, a roommate, or a friend (that you have never dated). It is also civil harassment if the abuse is from a family member that is not included in the list under domestic violence. So, for example, if the abuse is from an uncle or aunt, a niece or nephew, or a cousin, it is considered civil harassment and NOT domestic violence.

Temporary Restraining Order (TRO): A Temporary Restraining Order can be requested by filling out paperwork to tell a judge why you need a restraining order. Once the paperwork is reviewed, a judge can grant a temporary restraining order that is valid until the court date scheduled by the clerk.

“Permanent” Restraining Order: After you attend the court hearing scheduled for your TRO, the judge can issue a “permanent” restraining order if they feel it is necessary and it can be valid for up to three years.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDERS

A Domestic Violence Restraining Order can be filed for people who have or have had a married or dating relationship or are closely related. The person seeking protection must have experience actual physical violence or a credible threat of physical violence. A Domestic Violence Restraining order can demand that the restrained person stop certain conduct, keep a certain distance away from the protected persons (also called a “Stay-Away” Order), can force the restrained person to move out of a home where a protected person lives, and can put child custody orders into place temporarily.

ELDER OR DEPENDENT ADULT ABUSE RESTRAINING ORDER

An Elder or Dependent Abuse Restraining Order is for seniors who are suffering physical, mental, or financial abuse and over the age of 65 or are between the age of 18-64 and have certain disabilities.

CRIMINAL PROTECTIVE ORDER

No Contact Criminal Protective Order: A Criminal Protective Order that is issued by a judge that: prohibits personal, electronic, telephonic, or written contact with the protected person listed on the CPO, prohibits contact with the protected persons through a third party, except by an attorney of record, prohibits the restrained person from coming within 100 yards of the protected person. The protected person has the right to record any prohibited communications made by the restrained person.

No Negative Contact Criminal Protective Order: A Criminal Protective Order that is issued by a judge during an open criminal case that states the restrained person must not harass, strike, threaten, assault (sexually or otherwise), follow, stalk, molest, destroy or damage personal or real property, disturb the peace, keep under surveillance, or block movements of the protected persons named in the order. This version allows for the restrained and protective person to interact, and even live together, but prohibits any type of negative conduct or contact.