Restraining orders are issued by judges.
Restraining orders are issued by judges to protect victims of abuse and harassment from being further harmed by an aggressor. Violation of a restraining order is a serious legal offense.
Service
A restraining order cannot be violated until it has been properly served. Service is usually completed by law enforcement or a professional server, who gives the alleged abuser a copy of the restraining order's terms and the accusations against him.
Arrest
Anyone who is caught violating a restraining order can be immediately arrested by the police.
Plaintiff
The plaintiff (the person who took out the restraining order) does not have the legal authority to allow the defendant (the person against whom the order was taken) to violate any element of the restraining order.
Punishment
The punishment for violating a restraining order varies by state and the egregiousness of the violation. First-time, non-violent offenses can be punished by fines and jail time. Violations are punished more severely when they are repeated or violent or when they cross state lines or involve a weapon.
Repeal
A restraining order no longer applies once it expires or a court rescinds it.
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