English
EspañolWhat is a sexual assault protection order?
A sexual assault protection order is a court order that can protect you from an abuser if you are the victim of a “sexual assault offense.”1
1 NE R.S. § 28-311.11(1)
What is the legal definition of a sexual assault offense?
A “sexual assault offense” includes:
- sexual assault in the 1st degree, 2nd degree, and 3rd degree;
- committing or attempting to commit “sexual contact” or “sexual penetration” without consent, as those terms are defined by law;
- sexual abuse by a school employee; and
- sexual assault of a child in the 1st degree, 2nd degree, and 3rd degree.1
1 NE R.S. § 28-311.11(14)
What happens when I apply for a sexual assault protection order?
When you apply for a sexual assault protection order, there are four things that may happen:
- The judge may sign the protection order “ex parte,” which means without a hearing where both parties are present and before the other party receives notice. A judge may grant your ex parte order if s/he believes that you would suffer severe harm, loss, or damage before there could be a hearing with both you and the abuser;
- The judge could deny the ex parte order and instead, schedule an evidentiary hearing within fourteen days at which point the respondent can “show cause” why an order should not be issued;
- The judge could decide that your in your situation, it would be more appropriate for you to have a harassment protection order or a domestic abuse protection order and could hold a hearing where the abuser would have to “show cause” why the judge should not issue one of those orders; or
- The judge may choose to deny the protection order without a hearing if it appears from your petition that you do not qualify for the requested order.1
If you get the ex parte order, the order is then served to the abuser and s/he has ten days to request what is called a “show-cause hearing” to present his/her evidence and ask that the order be dismissed. At this hearing, the abuser must prove to the judge why the order should not remain in effect and you will have to prove why you should keep the order. If the abuser requests a show-cause hearing, the judge will schedule the hearing within 30 days and will notify you and the harasser of the court date.1
Note: If you want the abuser to be prohibited from having a firearm, the judge must hold a protection order hearing. You, as the victim, can request this hearing if the abuser does not make the request.2
1 NE R.S. § 28-311.11(7), (8); Nebraska Judicial Branch website
2Nebraska Judicial Branch website
How long does a sexual assault protection order last?
If the judge does not grant your ex parte sexual assault protection order, you may still have a chance to return to court for a final order. The abuser must be served with notice of the case. If the abuser requests a hearing, the courts will schedule a hearing within 14 days of service so that you have a chance to prove that you need a final sexual assault protection order. If the judge grants you an order at that hearing, the order will remain in effect for one year.1
If the judge grants an ex parte sexual assault protection order, the abuser must be served with a copy of that order and have a chance to request a hearing. If the abuser requests the hearing, the judge will use the hearing to decide whether to cancel your order or continue it for one year. If the abuser does not request a hearing within 5 days of being served with the protection order (or if the judge grants you an order at that hearing), the order will remain in effect for one year without having any further court hearings.1
In either case, if the abuser doesn’t request the show-cause hearing, you would not have to face the abuser in court.
1 NE R.S. § 28-311.11(7)
What protections can I get in a sexual assault protection order?
In a sexual assault protection order, the judge can order that the abuser not:
- place any limits on you or your freedom;
- harass, threaten, assault, molest, attack, or otherwise disturb your peace; and
- telephone, contact, or otherwise communicate with you.1
1 NE R.S. § 28-311.11(1)
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 “jurisdicción personal” (poder) 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.
