Restraining order

A restraining order is a court order that tells someone to stop doing something. If a person is hurting you or making you scared, you can ask the court to make a restraining order to stop that person from coming near you. The person who the restraining order is against is called the "restrained person." The person asking for the restraining order is called the "protected person."

A restraining order is usually only granted if the court thinks the restrained person will hurt the protected person. The judge will look at any evidence that the protected person brings to the court, like emails, texts, or any other evidence of the restrained person's behavior.

A restraining order can tell the restrained person to stay away from the protected person's home, school, work, or other places the protected person goes often. The order can also tell the restrained person to stay away from any family members or pets of the protected person. The order can also say that the restrained person must not call or try to contact the protected person.

If the restrained person does not follow the order, the police can arrest them.