Legal Information: Arizona

Restraining Orders

View all
Updated: 
September 19, 2018

Can I get an order of protection against a minor?

Maybe, but there are special considerations involved.

Where the abuser is a minor (under 18), you need to petition the court naming the minor as the defendant.  You cannot name the minor's parent, guardian or the person who has legal custody as the defendant.

Additionally, when the abuser is under the age of 16, you must serve the appropriate court paperwork, to the abuser and his/her parent, guardian or the person who has legal custody of the abuser.  For more information on serving a defendant/abuser, see Steps for getting an order of protection.

Only the juvenile division of the superior court may issue a protective order against a defendant who is under the age of 12.1

1 A.R.S. § 13-3602(B)(2)

Legal Information

© 2008–2019 WomensLaw.org is a project of the National Network to End Domestic Violence, Inc. All rights reserved. This website is funded in part through a grant from the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). NNEDV is a 501©(3) non-profit organization; EIN 52-1973408.