A Restraining Order is a court order that protects people from harassment.  

You can ask for this court order if you are worried about your safety because someone stalked, harassed, threatened you with violence, financially abused you, or sexually assaulted you.  The court can order a person not to: Threaten or harass you, contact or go near you, your home, your work, or have a gun.  You can also ask for protection of your family members or other household members.

A Domestic Violence Order of Protection is a civil order that may be issued when a person files against a household member and there are acts or threatened acts of abuse.  A household member does not have to be living the same home, but does include the following people: Parent, child, spouse or former spouse, current or former girlfriend or boyfriend, grandparent or grandchild.  A person may also file against someone who is not a household member if the person is being stalked or was sexually assaulted.  For more information on a Domestic Violence Order of Protection, click here.

You may request a Civil Harassment Restraining Order against people who are not close to you.  Petitions for a restraining order are filed in Civil Court if a domestic relationship does not exist between the victim and abuser such as roommates, neighbors, co-workers, or non-immediate family members.  This type of order is not for people who have dated or who are closed related.

For Civil Restraining Order Forms, click here.

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