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What is a Domestic Violence Restraining Order?

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A Restraining Order  is a court order.

It can require the person to stop threatening a person with whom he or she has a close relationship, or beating him or her, or his or her children, or the people who live with him or her. Restraining Orders can also tell someone to:

  • stop calling,
  • move out,
  • stay away from where the person seeking protection lives or works,
  • give up all firearms and ammunition,
  • limit the time he or she spends with their children,
  • pay certain bills,
  • pay child support,
  • release or return certain property, or
  • pay some or all of the attorney fees for the person seeking protection.

If a person seeking protection gets a Restraining Order, Opens new window he or she can ask a police officer, sheriff's deputy, or other law enforcement officer to make the person to be restrained do what the Order says.

These Orders can last for as little as a week, or as long as five years.

NOTE:  If someone gets a Restraining Order, he or she should be ready to not see or talk to the person to be restrained as long as the Restraining Order is in effect.


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