Restraining Orders

A restraining order is a court-ordered document signed by a judge, and it prohibits the restrained person from harassing, making contact with, or assaulting the person seeking the order. There are various types of restraining orders available for an individual to file. Below are the three types of restraining orders in which a domestic violence victim can obtain to use as a tool to help protect herself/himself from the abuser.

• Emergency Protective Order (EPO). Issued by law enforcement and is valid for five days
• Domestic Violence Temporary Restraining Order (TRO). Civil order is temporary for three weeks and can then be made permanent for one to three years
• Criminal Protective Order ("No Contact" Order). Can be obtained through the request of a deputy district attorney at the Domestic Violence Home Court for active prosecution cases

These orders are issued to prevent the restrained person from:

• Annoying, harassing, striking, following or otherwise disturbing the peace of the protected person(s)
• Having direct or indirect, personal, telephonic, electronic or written contact with the protected person(s)
• Coming within 100 yards of the protected person's residence, work or school
• Attempting to or actually preventing or dissuading any victim or witness from attending a hearing, testifying, or making a report to any law enforcement agency or person

If you are seeking a civil harassment restraining order, you can obtain the necessary paperwork at the Family Relations Courthouse, Room 100, located at 3341 Power Inn Road. The paperwork can be picked up between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

  

There is a free class that you can attend in order to help you through the paperwork to process the Domestic Violence Temporary Restraining Order. Classes are held at: Family Relations Courthouse, Room 104C 3341 Power Inn Road Sacramento, CA 95826 Days of Operation: Monday through Friday (except holidays) Time: 9:00 a.m. to Noon Public Transportation/Parking: Readily accessible by light rail and bus services. Shuttle service is also available from light rail to the courthouse at 720 Ninth Street. Parking is available at the Family Relations Courthouse at $0.50 per hour. Childcare: Free childcare is available for children between the ages of 1 to 12 while attending the workshop. This is available starting at 8:30 a.m., on a first-come, first-served basis.