A Protective Order

A person, or a parent or guardian for a minor, may seek relief from domestic abuse by a verified petition in district court where either party lives.

• Iowa Code § 236.3StatuteCommencement of actions — waiver to juvenile courtOpens legis.iowa.gov ↗

• A hearing is held not less than five and not more than 15 days after the case begins, where abuse must be proved by a preponderance of the evidence.
• Before then the court may enter a temporary order, ex parte, on good cause, and present danger of abuse is good cause.
• The temporary order says the defendant may be required to give up firearms, offensive weapons and ammunition under a permanent order.

• Iowa Code § 236.4StatuteHearings — temporary ordersOpens legis.iowa.gov ↗

On a finding of abuse, a protective order may require the defendant to stop the abuse and not possess firearms, offensive weapons or ammunition, and may award possession of the home and temporary custody.

• Iowa Code § 236.5StatuteDispositionOpens legis.iowa.gov ↗