{"id":351826,"date":"2025-01-15T17:11:58","date_gmt":"2025-01-15T22:11:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/domestic-violence\/what-happens-if-i-violate-my-own-restraining-order.html"},"modified":"2026-07-06T13:37:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T18:37:00","slug":"what-happens-if-i-violate-my-own-restraining-order","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/domestic-violence\/what-happens-if-i-violate-my-own-restraining-order.html","title":{"rendered":"What Happens If I Violate My Own Restraining Order?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Happens If I Violate My Own Restraining Order?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Restraining orders and protective orders are used in domestic violence cases to prevent abusers from contacting survivors. They restrict the actions of the respondent, who can face severe penalties if they violate the terms. However, the petitioner also should not violate their own restraining order.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Restraining orders, or protective orders, are powerful tools in domestic violence cases. They give survivors a legal means to prevent abusers from making contact while they try to get their lives back in order.<\/p>\n

Restraining orders<\/a> limit the abuser’s actions. The respondent faces serious penalties for violating a protective order. It is less clear what happens if a victim violates their own restraining order. Can a victim violate a protective order they requested? Are there any penalties if they do?<\/p>\n

Understanding a Restraining Order<\/b><\/h2>\n

In domestic violence cases<\/a>, courts issue orders of protection when one party, the petitioner,<\/b> needs protection from the respondent<\/b>. The petitioner is the protected person, and the respondent is the restrained person.<\/p>\n

The court order limits the actions of the restrained person. A no-contact order<\/b> prevents the restrained person from contacting the protected person in any way, including phone calls or by mail. Other orders may require the respondent to:<\/p>\n