What is a disorderly conduct restraining order?
A disorderly conduct restraining order (DCRO) can offer protection to someone who is the victim of disorderly conduct, which is similar to harassment. You do not need to have a specific relationship with the abuser - s/he could be anyone: a neighbor, acquaintance, intimate partner, family member, etc.
A DCRO could be a good option for someone who is not eligible to file for a domestic violence protection order (DVPO). However, it is possible that a person may actually qualify for both a DCRO and a DVPO and can have both at the same time.1
1Wolt v. Wolt, 778 N.W.2d 802 (Supr. Ct. 2010); N.D. Cent. Code §14–07.1–07
What is the legal definition of disorderly conduct?
“Disorderly conduct” is intrusive (interfering) or unwanted acts, words, or gestures that are intended to negatively affect your safety, security, or privacy.1 Some examples could be repeated teasing, yelling threats, harassing phone calls, and other behaviors that are intended to scare you. In addition, for the purpose of getting a disorderly conduct restraining order, human trafficking or attempted human trafficking are also included in the definition of “disorderly conduct.”1
1 N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-31.2-01(1)
What kinds of disorderly conduct restraining orders are there and how long do they last?
Temporary disorderly conduct restraining orders:
A temporary disorderly conduct restraining order will tell the abuser to stop harassing or abusing you and/or prohibit the abuser from contacting you. To get one, you will need to fill out a petition with your name, or the name of the victim if you are applying for a minor, as well as the abuser’s name, and the specific facts that explain what happened and why you need a disorderly conduct restraining order.1 Based on your petition, if the judge believes that the abuser committed an act of disorderly conduct, the judge may issue a temporary order. To get a temporary order, the abuser does not need to be notified in advance. A temporary order will be effective until a final disorderly conduct restraining order is served on the abuser or until the temporary order is dismissed by the judge if you are denied a final order at the hearing.2 A full hearing for a final disorderly conduct restraining order will be scheduled within 14 days from the date you get the temporary order unless good cause is shown for why the hearing cannot happen in fourteen days.3
Disorderly conduct restraining orders:
A final disorderly conduct restraining order will only be granted after the abuser has been notified of the date and place of the court hearing and has a chance to tell his/her side of the story at a court hearing. Both you and the abuser will have an opportunity to present evidence, testimony, witnesses, etc. – you might want to get a lawyer for this hearing, especially if you think the abuser might have one. If the judge believes the abuser has committed disorderly conduct, s/he will grant a disorderly conduct restraining order.3 The order will last up to two years.4
1 N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-31.2-01(3)
2 N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-31.2-01(4)
3 N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-31.2-01(5)
4 N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-31.2-01(6)
Who can file for a disorderly conduct restraining order?
Anyone who is a victim of disorderly conduct can file for a disorderly conduct restraining order.1 You do not need to have a specific relationship with the abuser.2 It may be a neighbor, acquaintance, intimate partner, family member, etc.
If you are a minor, your parent or guardian must file for you on your behalf.1
1 N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-31.2-01(2); see Instructions for Requesting a Disorderly Conduct Restraining Order
2 See N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-31.2-01(5)
How can a disorderly conduct restraining order help me?
An ex parte temporary order and a final disorderly conduct order can order the person who is harassing you or abusing you to:
- stop the disorderly conduct; and
- have no contact with you.1
These orders do not offer other kinds of relief that a domestic violence protection order can give you, such as temporary custody, the surrender of firearms, or exclusion of the abuser from the home.
1 See N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-31.2-01(4)
Si el agresor vive en otro estado, ¿puedo conseguir una orden en su contra?
Si el/la agresor/a vive en un estado diferente al suyo, el/la juez/a podría no tener poder (“jurisdicción personal”) sobre ese/a agresor/a. Esto significa que es posible que el tribunal no pueda otorgar una orden en contra de él/ella.
Hay algunas formas en las que una corte puede tener jurisdicción personal sobre un/a agresor/a que es de otro estado:
- El/la agresor/a tiene una conexión sustancial a su estado. Quizás el/la agresor/a viaja regularmente a su estado para visitarlo/a, por negocios, para ver la familia extendida, o el/la agresor/a vivía en su estado y huyó recientemente.
- Uno de los actos de maltrato “ocurrió” en su estado. Quizás el/la agresor/a le envía mensajes amenazantes o le hace llamadas acosadoras desde otro estado pero usted lee los mensajes o contesta las llamadas mientras usted está en su estado. El/la juez/a puede decidir que el maltrato “ocurrió” mientras estaba en su estado. También puede ser posible que el/la agresor/a estaba en su estado cuando le maltrató pero desde entonces se fue del estado.
- Otra forma para que la corte adquiera jurisdicción es si usted presenta su petición en el estado donde usted está, y el/la agresor/a recibe notificación de la petición de la corte mientras él/ella está en ese estado.
Sin embargo, aunque nada de esto aplique a su situación, eso no necesariamente significa que usted no pueda conseguir una orden. A usted le pueden dar una orden por consentimiento o el/la juez/a puede encontrar otras circunstancias que permitan que la orden sea dada. Puede leer más sobre jurisdicción personal en nuestra sección de Asuntos Básicos del Sistema Judicial - Jurisdicción Personal.
Nota: Si el/la juez/a de su estado se niega a dar una orden, usted puede pedir una orden en la corte del estado donde vive el/la agresor/a. Sin embargo, recuerde que es probable que usted necesite presentar la petición en persona y asistir a varias citas en la corte, lo cual podría ser difícil si el estado de el/la agresor/a es lejos.
