Restraining Orders

In both a temporary ex parte order and a final order, the judge can order the respondent to:

1. not do any of the following to the victim or anyone else named in the order:

• harass, intimidate, bother (molest), threaten, or stalk them;
• physically abuse them;
• sexually assault them;
• destroy their personal property; or
• disturb their peace;

2. not contact the victim directly or indirectly, including by phone, mail, e-mail, texts, or other communication; this includes not making “annoying” calls, as explained in the crime, “Telephone calls or contact by electronic communication device with intent to annoy;”
3. stay away from the victim and any family or household members or other employees named in the order;
4. stay away from the victim’s workplace, home, school, car, and their children’s school or daycare; and
5. do or not do anything else that the judge believes is necessary to keep the victim safe.¹

The judge can include protections for the victim’s family or household members or other employees at the victim’s workplace if there is a good reason (“good cause”) to do so.²

Note: It is illegal under California law for the respondent to have a firearm while this order is in effect.³ For more information, see What happens if the respondent has a gun after the order is issued?

¹ Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 527.8(f)(1), (b)(7)(A)-(B); see Petition for Workplace Violence Restraining Orders
² Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 527.8(d)
³ Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 527.8(t)(1)