{"id":376997,"date":"2016-03-31T21:37:12","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:37:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/virginia-law\/virginia-protective-orders.html"},"modified":"2016-06-20T14:00:00","modified_gmt":"2016-06-20T19:00:00","slug":"virginia-protective-orders","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/virginia-law\/virginia-protective-orders.html","title":{"rendered":"Virginia Protective Orders"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Virginia Protective Orders<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\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

In Virginia, a restraining order<\/a> or protective order is a legal document issued by a judge to protect the health and safety of a person who is alleged to be a victim of any act involving violence, force or threat that results in bodily injury or places that person in fear of death, sexual assault or bodily injury.<\/p>\r\n

What Type of Protective Orders are Available?<\/h2>\r\n

In Virginia, there are 3 kinds of protective orders that can help you or others in your family or home:<\/p>\r\n

1. Emergency Protective Order (EPO):<\/b> Expires at the end of the third day following issuance or the next day court
\r\nis in session, whichever is later)<\/p>\r\n

2. Preliminary Protective Order (PPO):<\/b> Lasts up to 15 days or until a full hearing.<\/p>\r\n

3. Final Protective Order:<\/b> Can last up to two (2) years.<\/p>\r\n

*** Any person in an emergency situation requiring immediate intervention should call 911 for assistance. ***<\/h2>\r\n

How Can a Restraining Order Help Me?<\/h2>\r\n

A restraining order can do the following:<\/p>\r\n