{"id":375469,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:13","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/north-carolina-law\/north-carolina-protective-orders-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-06-05T07:53:35","modified_gmt":"2025-06-05T12:53:35","slug":"north-carolina-protective-orders-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/north-carolina-law\/north-carolina-protective-orders-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"North Carolina Protective Orders Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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North Carolina Protective Orders Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Kit Yona, M.A.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by John Mascolo, 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

Keeping an abuser away from a victim is of utmost importance. North Carolina has three different kinds of protective orders<\/a> to help achieve that goal. While not a perfect method of prevention, these restraining orders are often an effective means of relief for victims. Their combination of provisions and penalties can deter abusers from striking again.<\/p>\r\n

The laws dealing with North Carolina protective orders are complex. There’s often overlap between types of abuse<\/a>. To help you know which one you need, this article will describe who each order is designed for, what it can do, and how to get one through the court system. Let’s figure out the right protective order for your situation.<\/p>\r\n

North Carolina Protective Orders: Types Available<\/h2>\r\n

Protective orders in North Carolina are designed to help victims of abuse find an escape from the endless and vicious cycle of abuse. The applicable order depends on both the relationship between the victim and the abuser and the type of criminal act involved.<\/p>\r\n

North Carolina orders are often referred to by their code chapter under state law. All orders issued in the state of North Carolina remain in effect anywhere in the United States. This is federal law through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)<\/a>. Let’s take a look at the different orders one at a time.<\/p>\r\n

North Carolina Domestic Violence Protective Order (DVPO)\/50B Order<\/h3>\r\n

Certain crimes committed between people sharing a personal relationship are considered domestic violence<\/a> or spousal abuse<\/a> in North Carolina. A North Carolina domestic violence protective order (DVPO) is also known as a 50B order based on its presence in Chapter 50B of the North Carolina General Statutes. It is only available to victims of domestic violence and spousal abuse.<\/p>\r\n

Domestic abuse occurs between family members, intimate partners, and household members. To qualify as domestic violence, the people involved must share one of the following relationships<\/a>:<\/p>\r\n