Understanding Protective Order Contact Violations

what constitutes contact in a protective order

Protective Orders are issued through civil cases via petitions. They are civil legal remedies provided to victims of harassment, stalking, unwanted contact, abuse, etc. Protective Orders are a type of “civil injunction” which prevents someone from having any type of direct or in-direct contact with another for a specific period of time. This type of order can be tailored to the facts and circumstances of the parties involved, but generally, a Protective Order prohibits further contact that is harassing, threatening, or stalking in nature.

Characteristics Values
Type of order No Contact Order, Protective Order
Nature of contact Direct, indirect
Duration Two years
Circumstances Civil, criminal
Issuing authority Judge, civil court
Persons involved Protected Person, Defendant
Relationship Domestic violence, stalking, harassment, unwanted contact, abuse

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No Contact Orders

A No Contact Order prohibits the restrained person from having any contact with the protected person. This includes indirect contact, such as giving a letter to a third party to hand over to the protected person. The restrained person may also be instructed to stay a minimum distance away from the victim's home, workplace, and other areas they frequent. They are not allowed to contact the victim through mail, phone, email, or social media.

It is important to note that the specifics of No Contact Orders may vary depending on the jurisdiction and the nature of the case.

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Criminal Protective Orders

There are two types of CPOs. The first type requires a defendant to stay away from, and have no contact with, a Protected Person. These are called 'No Contact' orders. The restrained person may be instructed to not contact the victim through mail, phone, email, or social media. They may also be instructed to stay a minimum distance away from the victim's home, workplace, and other areas they frequent. Depending on the nature of the order, the restrained person may also be required to take financial action, such as making loan and bill payments.

The second type of CPO permits contact between a defendant and the Protected Person, but only if that contact is peaceful.

It is important to note that Protective Orders can be tailored to the facts and circumstances of the parties involved. They are generally issued for a specific period of time, often two years. To obtain a Protective Order, a person can go online or to their local county clerk's office, request the specific forms, fill out those forms with detailed dates and allegations, and then file the documents with the Court.

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Civil injunctions

Protective Orders are a type of civil injunction that prevents someone from having any type of direct or indirect contact with another person for a specific period of time (generally two years). They are issued through civil cases via petitions and are a civil legal remedy provided to victims of harassment, stalking, unwanted contact, abuse, etc.

To get a Protective Order, a person can go online or to their local county clerk's office, request the specific forms, fill out those forms with detailed dates and allegations, and then file the documents with the Court. Protective Orders can be tailored to the facts and circumstances of the parties involved, but generally, they prohibit further contact that is harassing, threatening, or stalking in nature.

A No Contact Order is different from a Protective Order. A No Contact Order arises out of a criminal case and is requested by the prosecutor, not the victim. It generally lasts until the criminal case is resolved or until the Defendant completes their sentence. A No Contact Order prohibits any contact with the protected person and may instruct the restrained person to stay a minimum distance away from the victim's home, workplace, and other areas they frequent. The restrained person may also be instructed not to contact the victim through mail, phone, email, or social media.

A Criminal Protective Order (CPO) is an order a judge makes to protect a witness to, or victim of, a crime. Such persons are referred to as "Protected Persons." There are two types of CPOs. The first type requires the defendant to stay away from, and have no contact with, the Protected Person. The second type permits contact between the defendant and the Protected Person, but only if that contact is peaceful.

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Indirect contact

A protective order is a civil legal remedy provided to victims of harassment, stalking, unwanted contact, abuse, etc. Protective orders are a type of civil injunction that prevents someone from having any type of direct or indirect contact with another person for a specific period of time (generally two years).

In some cases, indirect contact may also include being in the same physical space as the protected person, such as attending the same event or being in the same room. This can be considered a violation of the protective order, depending on the specific terms and conditions outlined in the order.

It is important to note that indirect contact can also extend to online spaces and social media platforms. Restrained persons may be prohibited from viewing or interacting with the protected person's online profiles, posts, or content. This includes liking, commenting, sharing, or otherwise engaging with the protected person's online presence.

Additionally, indirect contact can involve third parties. For example, a restrained person may ask a friend or family member to pass on a message or communicate with the protected person on their behalf. This type of indirect contact is also prohibited and can be considered a violation of the protective order.

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Direct contact

Protective Orders are issued through civil cases via petitions. They are civil legal remedies provided to victims of harassment, stalking, unwanted contact, abuse, etc. Protective Orders are a type of “civil injunction” which prevents someone from having any type of direct or indirect contact with another person for a specific period of time (generally two years).

  • Face-to-face contact
  • Contact through mail, phone, emails, or social media
  • Contact through a third party

The restrained person may also be instructed to stay a minimum distance away from the protected person's home, workplace, and other areas they frequent.

Frequently asked questions

A protective order is a civil legal remedy provided to victims of harassment, stalking, unwanted contact, abuse, etc. It is a type of civil injunction that prevents someone from having any type of direct or indirect contact with another person for a specific period of time (generally two years).

A no-contact order prohibits someone from having any contact with a protected person. This can include staying a minimum distance away from the protected person's home, workplace, and other areas they frequent, as well as not contacting them through mail, phone, email, or social media. A no-contact order generally lasts until the criminal case is resolved or until the defendant completes their sentence.

While there are some similarities between the two, protective orders and no-contact orders are not the same. Protective orders are issued through civil cases, while no-contact orders arise from criminal cases. Protective orders are generally tailored to the facts and circumstances of the parties involved, while no-contact orders are issued by a judge.

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