You should not delay if you are considering a protective order since a long delay between an incident of violence and the protective order application may hurt the chances of it being granted by the court.
- Protective Orders are court orders to protect victims of family violence.
- A Protective Order are rules by which the abuser, also called the Respondent, must follow in order to have a safe relationship with you and your family or no relationship at all.
- Only a judge can issue a Protective Order. With your input, a judge decides the rules that the Respondent must follow.
- A Protective Order may be in effect for up to two years.
- Consequences of violating a protective order
In general, a Protective Order might have the following rules:
An abuser/Respondent…
- Can not hurt you
- Can not verbally threaten to hurt you or a loved one
- Can not go near your home or work
- Can not go near your daycare or school of your children
- Can not follow you
- May be required to go to counseling
- May be required to pay child support
- May be required to follow a child visitation plan
- If the abuser/Respondent breaks these rules they can be arrested.
