Serve Your Restraining Order in Sacramento

A restraining order, also known as a protective order, is a court-issued mandate that requires a person to stop specific behaviors, such as contacting the person who requested the order. The primary purpose of restraining orders is to protect individuals from harassment, abuse, threats, or stalking by legally restricting the respondent’s actions.

Domestic violence – If a family member is experiencing physical, emotional, or psychological abuse from a close relative, such as a spouse, ex-spouse, dating partner, cohabitant, or parent of a shared child, a restraining order may be necessary.

Civil harassment – If you’re being harassed by someone outside your immediate family, like a neighbor, coworker, or acquaintance, a restraining order could offer relief.

Elder or dependent adult abuse – If you need to protect an elderly or dependent adult from physical, emotional, financial, or neglectful abuse, a restraining order can help ensure their safety.

Workplace violence – Employers can file restraining orders on behalf of employees to protect them from violent behavior in the workplace.

Emergency Protective Order (EPO) – Issued by law enforcement officers in urgent situations, EPOs are effective immediately and last up to seven days.

Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) – Granted by a judge without a court hearing, TROs usually last for 20-25 days or until a court hearing occurs.

Permanent Restraining Order – After a court hearing, a judge may grant a permanent restraining order that lasts up to five years for domestic violence or civil harassment cases, or up to three years for elder or dependent adult abuse cases.

Criminal Protective Order – Issued in criminal cases, these orders last throughout the criminal proceedings and may be extended further once the case is resolved.

1. Determine the appropriate order type – Identify the most suitable restraining order type based on your situation.

2. Complete the necessary forms – Get the required forms from a local courthouse, self-help center, or online. Fill them out carefully, providing accurate information.

3. File forms with the court – Submit the completed forms to the appropriate court clerk. The clerk may set a court date for a hearing, especially for cases involving TROs.

4. Attend the court hearing – Present evidence before a judge to justify the need for a restraining order. The respondent may attend and present a defense.

5. Receive the restraining order – If the judge approves the restraining order, obtain a copy of the signed order and keep it for your records.

A neutral third party, such as a process server, law enforcement officer, or an uninvolved adult, can serve a restraining order. In California, personal service is required, ensuring that the respondent is adequately informed of the order.

A person who has requested a restraining order can ask the court to remove it by submitting a request to the same court that granted the order initially. The judge might hold a hearing where the person must give reasons for the removal request. Then, the judge can accept or reject the request based on the evidence presented.

As documents issued by the court, restraining orders are generally considered public records. However, some details might be concealed or restricted to protect the privacy of those involved. The availability of restraining order records varies depending on local laws. In some situations, a judge may decide to seal the records to ensure the privacy of the person who requested the restraining order.