Common Case Types
Protective and Restraining Orders
How to request an order of protection and what happens at the hearing.
What they do
A protective or restraining order can require someone to stay away, stop contact, leave a shared home, or surrender firearms. Violating one is usually a crime.
The process
- File a petition describing what happened, with dates.
- A judge may issue a temporary order the same day.
- A full hearing follows, usually within days or weeks, where both sides can speak.
Evidence that helps
Texts, voicemails, photos of injuries or damage, police reports, and witnesses. Research in the Temple Political & Civil Rights Law Review found petitioners with lawyers obtained orders far more often, so preparation matters.
If you're in danger
Call 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233.
Sources
General information, not legal advice.
protective orderrestraining orderdomestic violencesafety