WomensLaw serves and supports all survivors, no matter their sex or gender.

Legal Information: Louisiana

Restraining Orders

View all
Updated: 
November 21, 2023

What can I do if the abuser violates the order?

If the abuser violates the protective order, you can call 911 immediately. The law says that if a law enforcement officer has reason to believe that a family or household member or dating partner has been abused in violation of a temporary or final restraining order/protective order, the officer is supposed to immediately arrest the abuser.1 It is also considered a violation of protective order if the abuser has a firearm in his/her possession or if s/he is carrying a concealed weapon in violation of the law that prohibits firearm possession when certain long-term orders are in effect.2

Make sure a police report is filled out, even if no arrest is made. Even if the police do not arrest at the scene, law enforcement officers are supposed to at least issue a summons to the abuser if there is probable cause that the order was violated.3 It is a good idea to write down the name of the responding officer(s) and their badge number in case you want to follow up on your case.

If the abuser is arrested, and found guilty of a violation, s/he can be forced to pay a fine and/or go to jail. The penalties can vary, depending on whether or not it is his/her first conviction for violation of a protective order or not. The penalty increases for a second, third, fourth, etc., conviction as well as the penalty can be more severe if the violation involves battery or any crime of violence.4 To read about the penalties, go to our Selected Louisiana Statutes page.

Through the Civil Court System (Civil): You may file for civil contempt for a violation of the order. The abuser can be held in “civil contempt” if s/he does anything that your protective order orders him/her not to do.5

1 LA R.S. 46:2140(A)
2 LA R.S. 14:79(A)(4)
3 LA R.S. 14:79(E)
4 LA R.S. 14:79(B)
5 See, for example, LA ST Ch.C. Art. 1571