What is a temporary restraining order?

A Temporary Restraining Order is issued by a judge who is satisfied that demanding circumstances exist enough to excuse the failure of the victim to appear personally and that sufficient grounds for granting the temporary restraining order have been shown. To protect the victim from the defendant, the judge may grant within the temporary restraining order that the:

• The abuser is forbidden from returning to the scene of the domestic violence as well as other locations to be determined.
• The abuser is prohibited from future acts of domestic violence.
• The abuser is forbidden from possessing a firearm or weapons.
• The abuser is forbidden from having any communication or contact with the victim or the victim’s relatives in person, via the telephone, or in writing. This includes making or causing anyone else to do so, on the abuser’s behalf.
• The abuser is required to pay temporary child support to victim.
• The abuser is required to reimburse the victim for any medical expenses incurred due to injury caused by defendant.
• The victim is given exclusive possession of the residence.
• The victim is given temporary custody of the children.