Other Topics: Can a Domestic Violence Restraining Order Help Me? Get a Restraining Order Enforce a Restraining Order Renew a Restraining Order Register a Restraining Order From Another State For a Restrained Person
	Spanish/Espaņol

You are here: Protection from Abuse > Domestic Violence > Restraining Orders > Enforce a Restraining Order

Enforce a Restraining Order

Click on a topic below:

Get copies of the order

If any problems, call the police

Police can arrest

Guns

Get copies of the order.
Get copies of your restraining order and proof of service from the court clerk:

• Keep 1 copy with you, always. You may need to show it to the police.
• Keep another copy in a safe place.
• Give a copy to anyone else protected by the order.
• Take copies to places where the restrained person is ordered not to go (school, work, daycare, etc.).
• Give a copy to the security officers in your apartment or office buildings.
• Make sure your local police have a copy, too. Ask them to enter it into CLETS, a special computer system that lets police all over the state find out about your order.

[ Top of Page ]

If any problems, call the police.
Call the police right away if the restrained person disobeys any of the orders. Also:

• Write down what happened, when, where, and the names of any witnesses.
• Get copies of police reports.
• If you are hurt, get copies of medical reports.

Show the police a copy of your orders. If the restrained person is there, ask the officer to serve the orders. Make sure you give the police a proof of service to fill out and then file at the court.

[ Top of Page ]

Police can arrest.
It is a crime to disobey the judge's orders.

The restrained person can:

• Be fined, or
• Go to jail.

Ask your local district attorney (also called the "DA")) how he or she will handle your case. The DA may file criminal charges. You can always call the DA for information about a criminal case.

You can also file a civil contempt action. Ask the court clerk for forms. Click here to find your local court.

[ Top of Page ]

Guns
The restrained person can't:

• Own,
• Have,
• Buy, or
• Try to buy

a gun or firearm while the order is in effect. If the person does, he or she can go to jail and pay a fine of $1,000.

[ Top of Page ]

<< back

Self-Help Home | Ask the Law Librarian | Q&A
Links | Need Legal Help? | Site Map

Last modified: 03/17/2008

About Us | Web Site Feedback
Web Policies | Public Access to Records | Accessibility