Written by NotALawyer Legal AI · Reviewed by External Legal AI · Published April 7, 2026 · Last reviewed June 26, 2026
A restraining order (also called a protective order) is a court order that tells someone to stop contacting, threatening, or coming near you. The exact steps vary by state, but in most places you can ask the court for an emergency order the same day, with a full hearing set within a few weeks. This is legal information, not legal advice.
In an emergency, a judge can issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) based on your written statement alone, without the other person there. A TRO usually lasts 2-3 weeks, until your full hearing.
Courts want facts: dates, places, what was said or done, and any witnesses. "They're scary" is not enough. Write down each incident in as much detail as you can, and bring photos, texts, or messages if you have them.
Common types include domestic violence, civil harassment, elder abuse, and workplace violence orders. Each has different rules for who qualifies and what protection you get. Filing under the right one matters.
Once an order is in place, any violation by the restrained person -- contact, getting too close, threats -- can lead to arrest and criminal charges. That holds even if you were the one who reached out first.
Courts are set up for people filing without a lawyer, and clerks can point you to the forms. A lawyer or a victim advocate can also help you write your statement and speak for you at the hearing -- often for free through a local domestic violence or legal aid program.
More on this topic: the Safety hub
NotALawyer.com provides general legal information, not legal advice.