A Restraining order is a form of legal injunction. The term is most commonly used in reference to domestic violence, harassment, stalking or sexual assault. Each state has some form of domestic violence restraining order law, and many states also have specific restraining order laws for stalking and sexual assault.

A restraining order is a legal order issued by a state court which requires one person to stop harming another person. It is also sometimes called a Protection Order, Order of Protection, Protection from Abuse Order, Police Protection, Protective Order or some other similar name. In Australia the term is Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) or Intervention Order Restraining order/protection order laws establish who can file for an order, what protection or relief a person can get from such an order, and how the order will be enforced.

While there are differences from state to state, all protective order statutes permit the court to order the abuser to stay away from someone, their home, their workplace or their school ("stay away" provisions) and to stop contacting them. Victims generally also can ask the court to order that all contact, whether by telephone, notes, mail, fax, email or delivery of flowers or gifts, is prohibited ("no contact" provisions). Courts can also order the abuser to stop hurting or threatening someone ("cease abuse" provisions).

Some states also allow the court to order the abuser to pay temporary support or continue to make mortgage payments on a home owned by both people ("support" provisions), to award sole use of a home or car owned by both people ("exclusive use" provisions), or to pay for medical costs or property damage caused by the abuser ("restitution" provisions).

Similar to 0 things you like: