Walk It Through: The Protective Order Hearing
A temporary order at once, a hearing within 20 days, an order that cannot run both ways, and a crime to break it.
After her husband shoves her and threatens worse, a woman goes to court.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
Spouses living together with no children involved. A divorce case order, a firearm surrender and an order against a minor are left out.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- Order of protectionA court order that may bar contact, keep the respondent a set distance away, and remove the respondent from the home. A temporary order issues at once on a sworn petition showing danger, and a hearing is held within 20 days.
- Partner or family memberPartners are spouses and former spouses, people with a child in common, and people who are or were dating or in an intimate relationship. Family members include parents, children, siblings, step and in-law relatives, past or present.