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Legal Information: Alabama

Restraining Orders

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Updated: 
September 1, 2023

What is the legal definition of domestic abuse in Alabama?

You can file for an order if you are the victim of domestic abuse, as defined below, or if you have reasonable cause to believe that you are in immediate danger of becoming the victim of any act of abuse.1 Alabama law defines “domestic abuse” for the purpose of getting a protection from abuse order as the actual or attempted occurrence of one or more of the following acts between a current or former intimate partner/household member:

  • assault in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd degrees;
  • arson;
  • rape/sodomy/sexual abuse - scroll to “Article 4. Sexual Offenses” to read all of the crimes included;
  • criminal coercion;
  • harassment;
  • reckless endangerment;
  • child abuse, torture or willful abuse of a child, aggravated child abuse, or chemical endangerment of a child;
  • kidnapping in the 1st and 2nd degrees;
  • menacing;
  • theft, which includes taking unauthorized control or getting control through deception over property owned fully or jointly by you;
  • stalking in the 1st, 2nd degrees;
  • aggravated stalking in the 1st and 2nd degrees;
  • unlawful imprisonment in the 1st and 2nd degrees;
  • criminal trespass in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd degrees;2 or
  • any other crime against you.3

1 Ala. Code § 30-5-5(a)(1)
2 Ala. Code § 30-5-2(1)(a)-(i), (1)(k)-(o)
3 Ala. Code § 30-5-2(1)(j)