If you feel physically or verbally threatened by someone, one option you have is to file a protective order, also known as a restraining order.

To file a restraining order, you typically have to file petition with the local county clerk’s office. Then a judge will choose to grant it or not.

What Are Some Instances Where I Can File A Restraining Order?

Restraining orders can be filed for many reasons. If you are being stalked, harassed, beaten or have reason to believe that your physical safety is in question, you may have good reason to file a restraining order.

A restraining order restrains a person, known legally as a “respondent” from close contact with you or being in your presence.

How Much Does A Restraining Order Cost?

It doesn’t cost anything to file a restraining order and you don’t need an attorney to go through the process.

Those that file them don’t have to worry about confidentiality; in some cases, restraining orders can be sealed by a judge, while in other cases, they may be publicly available. In either cases, attorneys and other parties can manage to get their hands on the protective order, which means they may be accessible at some point to the public.

How Long Does A Restraining Order Stay In Effect?

How long a restraining order stays on record depends on how long it’s granted for.

Many restraining orders have expiration dates that render them invalid at some point. But there are some protective orders that may be indefinite or issued “until further order,” which means a judge would have to end it.

If you are enduring a domestic violence situation, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.