Protective Orders
Va. Code 16.1-279.1 — family abuse, up to two years, and a Class 1 misdemeanor to violate it
In Virginia, family abuse is an act of violence, force or threat that causes bodily injury or places someone in reasonable apprehension of death, sexual assault or bodily injury, by a family or household member. That includes spouses and former spouses, parents, children, siblings and grandparents, anyone who has a child in common, anyone who cohabited in the past 12 months, and an intimate partner.
- Prohibiting further family abuse, and contact with the petitioner and family or household members.
- Giving the petitioner the home, the utilities kept on, and use of a vehicle, without affecting title.
- Giving the petitioner a cell phone number or device and its password.
- Treatment or counseling, possession of a companion animal, and temporary custody or visitation of a minor child.
Up to two years, or four after an earlier order. An order runs for a specified period up to two years, or up to four years if the respondent was subject to an earlier order within 10 years. It expires at 11:59 p.m. on its last day.
Violating a no-abuse, no-contact or stay-away provision is a Class 1 misdemeanor. A second violation within five years involving violence or a threat carries at least 60 days, and a third within 20 years involving violence or a threat is a Class 6 felony with at least six months.
Sources for this section (3)
- Va. Code 16.1-279.1 — Protective order in cases of family abuse
- Va. Code 16.1-228 — Definitions
- Va. Code 16.1-253.2 — Violation of provisions of protective orders; penalties
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Virginia attorney.