Restraining order is a court order that requires a person or group to stop a particular action defined by the court. Restraining orders can be either temporary, long-term, or permanent. The specific details of restraining orders vary from case to case.
The use of restraining orders is a common method of protecting victims of domestic violence. Restraining orders used in such cases are sometimes called protection from abuse orders, protective orders, or orders of protection. Such orders usually target people who are believed to have committed acts of violence or abuse. Most require that a threatening individual avoid coming into contact with the person who sought the order. Orders may also force an individual to provide financial support or to hand over to authorities any firearms the individual possesses. The violation of a restraining order may result in arrest, a fine, or imprisonment.
Courts also use restraining orders to stop other kinds of activity. For instance, a court might issue a restraining order against a company that has used a copyrighted image without permission. Courts sometimes use temporary restraining orders, also called temporary injunctions, to halt contested activities until a case can be heard in court.
See also Domestic violence .
