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Legal Information: Arkansas

Restraining Orders

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Updated: 
January 3, 2024

What protections can I get in a protection order?

In both a temporary order and a final order of protection, a judge may order:

  • the abuser not to commit any criminal acts against you;
  • that the abuser not injure, mistreat, molest, or harass you, or threaten to do any of those things;
  • the abuser to stay out of your home or the home you shared together;
  • the abuser to stay away from your work, school, or other places you go;
  • the abuser not to contact you directly or through someone else.
  • temporary custody or temporary visitation rights for any minor children you have with the abuser;
  • child support for any child you have in common with the abuse;
  • temporary financial support for you if you are married to the abuser;
  • that the winning party compensate the other party for reasonable attorney fees;
  • that one party have custody or care of a pet in the home;1
  • that any cell phone numbers/accounts be transferred to your name if you share a cell phone with the abuser and the abuser is the account holder; Note: You can request this in the first court hearing or in any follow-up court dates. However, you have to prove to the judge that you and any minor children in your care are the primary users of the wireless telephone number(s);2 and
  • anything else that the judge thinks will help keep you or your family and other household members safe.1

Whether a judge orders any or all of the above depends on the facts of your case.

1 Ark. Code §§ 9-15-206(b); 9-15-205(a)
2 Ark. Code § 9-15-218(a)