How Can a Restraining Order Protect You and Your Family?
There are different types of restraining orders, each with its own set of rules, but all restraining orders have one common goal: to protect the victim from the abuser.
Discussed below are the most common types of restraining orders and how each of them can protect you and your family:
Domestic Violence Restraining Orders
A domestic violence restraining order is a court order that protects victims of domestic violence from their abusers. It can order the abuser to stay away from the victim, have no contact with the victim, and not go near the victim’s home or work. It can also order the abuser to stay away from the victim’s children.
Workplace Violence Restraining Orders
A workplace violence restraining order is a court order that protects employees from violence and threats at work. It can order the abuser (co-workers or employer) to stay away from the victim’s workplace and have no contact with the victim.
Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse Restraining Orders
Elder or dependent adult abuse restraining orders are court orders that protect elders and dependent adults from abuse. This restraining order can be issued if the elder or dependent adult has been abused by a family member, caregiver, or someone else. The order can protect the elder or dependent adult from further abuse and ensure that the abuser does not have any contact with the elder or dependent adult.
Stalking Restraining Orders
Stalking restraining orders are court orders that protect people from being stalked. If you have been the victim of stalking, you can ask the court for a stalking restraining order.
Child Custody Restraining Orders
Child custody restraining orders are court orders that protect children from being harmed by a parent or other adult. If you are concerned about your child’s safety, you can ask the court for a child custody restraining order.
Criminal Protective Orders
Criminal protective orders are court orders that protect victims of domestic violence, stalking, elder abuse, or dependent adult abuse from further violence or threats of violence. If you have been the victim of domestic violence, stalking, elder abuse, or dependent adult abuse, you can ask the court for a criminal protective order.
A judge can issue all these restraining orders without the input of the abuser, and they can last for up to five years. In some cases, all these types of restraining orders can be renewed.
