{"id":376166,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:36","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/rhode-island-law\/rhode-island-protective-orders-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-04-28T16:31:44","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T21:31:44","slug":"rhode-island-protective-orders-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/rhode-island-law\/rhode-island-protective-orders-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Rhode Island Protective Orders Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Rhode Island Protective Orders Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Kit Yona, M.A.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, 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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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Rhode Island<\/span> protective orders<\/span> issued by a court protect victims from abuse, harassment, or threats. The protective order<\/span> covers instances involving domestic violence<\/span>, sexual assault<\/span>, or workplace violence. The abuser may have to surrender firearms, leave shared homes, or cease all contact with the victim.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Victims often need protection from their abusers. Rhode Island<\/span> offers protective orders<\/span><\/a> for many different situations. Also referred to as restraining orders<\/span>, these court orders use provisions to keep abusers away from their victims. Certain orders can provide temporary rulings on child support<\/span>, child custody, firearms possession, and more.<\/p>\n

The number of restraining orders<\/span> in Rhode Island<\/span> can make it confusing to know which one is right for you. To help, this guide will examine each <\/a>protective order<\/span>\u00a0available<\/a>, explain what they do, and walk you through the process of getting the one you need. Read on for a better understanding of protective orders<\/span> in Rhode Island<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Rhode Island<\/span> Protective Orders<\/span> Laws: Types of Orders Available<\/h2>\n

From domestic violence<\/span> to threats in the workplace, Rhode Island<\/span> has protections in place to help prevent further abuse. Let’s take a look at each order before showing how to apply.<\/p>\n

Domestic Violence<\/span> Restraining Order<\/span><\/h3>\n

Domestic violence<\/span> crimes can ruin lives and destroy families. The topic is thoroughly examined in FindLaw’s Rhode Island<\/span> Family Law<\/span> on Domestic Violence<\/span><\/a> article. We’ll touch on the most important aspects here as well.<\/p>\n

Domestic violence<\/span> crimes center on an abuser gathering power and control<\/a> over their victims. For classification as domestic violence<\/span> offenses in Rhode Island<\/span>, certain abusive acts must occur between family members<\/span> and household members<\/a>. Domestic violence<\/span> labeling causes additional penalties for the offender and opens access to special protections for the victim, including this protection order<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Crimes that fall under certain categories of abusive offenses<\/a> are eligible for a domestic violence<\/span> restraining order<\/span>. These can include, but are not limited to, the following:<\/p>\n