Restraining Orders
Wis. Stat. 813.12 — a hearing within 14 days, an injunction for up to 4 years
A Wisconsin domestic abuse case starts with a petition, not a complaint and summons, and runs in 2 parts: a temporary restraining order if the petitioner asks for one, then a hearing on an injunction, which is the final relief. No divorce or other case has to be filed first.
Who it covers. Domestic abuse is intentional infliction of physical pain, injury or illness, sexual assault, stalking, damage to the victim's property, or a threat of any of those, between adult family or household members, former spouses, people in a dating relationship, people with a child in common, or by an adult caregiver.
A hearing within 14 days. The temporary order lasts until the injunction hearing, which is held within 14 days after the order issues unless extended. After the hearing an injunction can run as long as the petitioner asks, up to 4 years, and in the cases the section lists up to 10 years.
An injunction requires the respondent to surrender firearms. The petitioner does not violate the order by letting the respondent into the petitioner's own home, and the injunction is not voided if the petitioner allows or starts contact.
Knowingly violating a temporary order or an injunction may be fined up to $10,000 or imprisoned up to 9 months, or both.
Sources for this section (1)
- Wis. Stat. 813.12 — Domestic abuse restraining orders and injunctions
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Wisconsin attorney.