A restraining order or order of protection can be a person’s last resort against threatening or harassing behavior. They can also be a person’s only means to stop domestic violence or abuse. In some cases, restraining orders can save lives.
In other cases, they can ruin lives or be a tool for harassment. There are two sides to every restraining order, and cops and courts are often caught in between. When properly administered, restraining orders are an important tool in keeping people safe. So here what you need to know about restraining orders:
1. What is a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO)?
Start with the basics — a restraining order or protective order is a court order enforceable by police that prohibits contact between two people. In many instance, it forbids one person from coming within a certain distance of another, and in some cases can include additional restrictions regarding gun ownership.
2. How to Get a Restraining Order
Many courts publish protective order processes on their websites. Either there or at the courthouse you should find and fill out a petition for a restraining order and file it with the court. Generally the court will set a hearing on the matter and grant a temporary restraining order in the meantime.
3. Legal How-To: Responding to a Temporary Restraining Order
A person against whom a restraining order has been filed must receive notice of the order, the conditions, and any future hearings on the matter. Normally, this entails a written response filing and participation in the court hearing, which can include presenting evidence and witnesses.
4. How to Enforce Your Restraining Order in a New State
Nobody seems to stay in one place anymore. So does your restraining order follow you when you move to another state? Federal law requires all states to honor and enforce valid protection orders issued by others states, but are there additional steps you need to take?
5. Legal How-To: Appeal a Restraining Order
Even though a court has issued a restraining order, that order can still be appealed, amended, modified, or dismissed. A restraining order can be appealed on paper or, more likely, in court, and there are better and worse ways to appeal a restraining order.
The best source of information on restraining orders, whether you’re thinking of filing one or trying to fight one, is an experienced attorney — if you’ve got restraining order questions contact one in your area today.
