Connecticut Protective Orders Laws

By FindLaw Staff | Legally reviewed by Nicole Prebeck, Esq. | Last reviewed January 11, 2023

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Also known as orders of protection and protection orders, protective orders are intended to protect victims of abuse, stalking, or harassment. For a specified period of time, they require perpetrators to stay a certain distance away from the person holding the order. Such orders are primarily used by victims of domestic violence but may apply in other circumstances.

Continue reading for more information about protective orders in Connecticut.

Connecticut Protective Orders and Related Laws

Connecticut protective orders are valid for six months and may be renewed. A violation of the terms of a protective order can lead to prosecution punishable by fines and jail time.

All 50 states and the District of Columbia have statutes for some form of protection order. However, states call this protection order different things. A victim can renew the protection order, if they still feel threatened by their abuser. A protection order may include many different provisions, including:

  • Firearms: Requiring the abuser to surrender any guns they possess (about 2/3rds of states) and/or prohibiting the abuser from purchasing a firearm
  • Counseling: Ordering the abuser to attend counseling, such as batterer's intervention or anger management
  • Peaceful Contact: Permitting the abuser to peacefully communicate with the victim for limited reasons, including care and transfer for visitation of their child
  • Move Out: Requiring the abuser to move out of a home shared with the victim

Learn about Connecticut's protective order laws in the chart below. You can also see Details on State Protective Order Laws and the links following this article for more details.

Code Section 46b-15, et seq.
Activity Addressed by Order Orders address a variety of activities. The following are examples of the kinds of activities that orders address:
  • Establishing temporary custody and visitation arrangements
  • Prohibiting the respondent from making contact with the petitioner
  • Excluding the petitioner from the dwelling of a family member or the applicant
  • Prohibiting the respondent from threatening, harassing, assaulting, molesting, or sexually assaulting the petitioner
  • Forbidding the respondent from making contact with a pet or companion animal or harming that pet or companion animal
  • Forbidding the respondent from canceling or changing any insurance policies under which the petitioner receives benefits
  • Barring the respondent from destroying the applicant's property
  • Ordering that the respondent yields temporary possession of a car, checkbook, or other items to the petitioner
  • Directing the respondent to make rent or mortgage payments on a family dwelling or the dwelling of the applicant and their children
Duration of Order Ex parte or emergency orders are valid for only 14 days. Once a hearing has been held, an order may be issued for a period of up to one year. However, they may also be extended.
Penalty for a Violation of Order Violation of a protective order is treated as a class D felony. However, it may be treated as a Class C felony, if any of the following also occur:
  • The offender imposes restraint upon the victim in violating the order
  • The offender threatens, harasses, assaults, molests, sexually assaults, or attacks the victim in violation of the order
Who May Apply for Order The following are examples of people that may apply for orders:
  • Family or household members
  • Persons in a dating relationship or who have been in such a relationship
  • Spouses or former spouses
  • Parents or their children
  • People related by blood or marriage
  • People who are living together or who have lived together
  • People who have a child
Can Fees Be Waived? There are no fees associated with filing for an order.
Order Transmission to Law Enforcement The order is immediately sent to the appropriate law enforcement agency within 48 hours of issuance.
Civil Liability for Violation of Order Contempt of court

Note: State laws are constantly changing. Contact a Connecticut family law attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.

If you are in immediate danger for your safety and need emergency assistance, call 911. Victims who want to know more about their legal rights should reach out to an experienced Connecticut family law attorney.

Research the Law:

Consider reviewing the following resources for more information about all laws in Connecticut, including those related to orders of protection:

  • At Connecticut Law, you'll find more information about all laws in the state, including those related to orders of protection.
  • At Official State Codes, you'll find links to the official online statutes (laws) in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Other Resources for Protective Orders and Related Laws:

Consider reviewing the following resources for more information about orders of protection:

Need More Help? Contact a Lawyer for More Guidance

It can be traumatic and scary to be the victim of domestic violence. It can also be overwhelming to handle all the legal issues, including paperwork, that go along with filing for an order of protection. Consider contacting a qualified family law attorney near you today. They can help with get your life back on track and begin the process of recovery. Also, if you're the person named in an order of protection, it's important to understand how this will affect your life. Consider contact a criminal defense attorney for more information.

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