Types of restraining orders

The main types

• Domestic violence restraining order (DV-100): abuse by a spouse, former spouse, dating partner, co-parent, or close family member.
• Civil harassment restraining order (CH-100): harassment, threats, or violence by a neighbor, roommate, acquaintance, or more distant relative.
• Elder or dependent adult abuse restraining order (EA-100): abuse of a person 65 or older or a dependent adult, including financial abuse.
• Workplace violence restraining order: requested by an employer or a collective bargaining representative to protect an employee from violence, credible threats, or harassment at work.
• Gun violence restraining order (GV-100): temporarily removes firearms from a person who poses a danger. Family and household members, law enforcement, and some others can ask.

How it generally works

1. Request. The person asking fills out the forms and describes what happened. Court self-help centers help with the forms.
2. Temporary order. A judge usually decides on a temporary order within a day and sets a hearing date.
3. Service. The other person must be served with the papers before the hearing. Law enforcement can serve some orders at no cost.
4. Hearing. Both sides can present evidence. The judge decides whether to issue a longer-term order.

In an emergency, call 911. Police can also request an Emergency Protective Order from a judge at any hour.