Know the Laws: District of Columbia
UPDATED February 11, 2011
A restraining order or protective order is a legal order issued by a state court which requires one person to stop harming another. In the District of Columbia, these orders are known as civil protection orders.
- Overview of Civil vs. Criminal Law
Some restraining orders are issued in criminal court and some are issued in civil court.
- Civil Protection Orders (for Domestic Violence Victims)
A civil order that protects you from abuse by a current or former intimate partner, relative, housemate, someone you have a child in common with, or someone who is/was in a relationship with someone who you are/were in a relationship with.
- Civil Protection Orders (for Victims of Stalking and Sexual Assault / Abuse)
If you are a victim of stalking, sexual assault, or sexual abuse, you can file for a civil protection order against the offender regardless of your relationship to him.
- Moving to Another State with a Civil Protection Order
Your protection order can be enforceable wherever you move.
- Enforcing Your Out-of-State Order in D.C.
If you are planning to move to D.C. or are going to be in D.C. for any reason, your protection or restraining order can be enforced.