Restraining Orders

If you, your family, your minor child, or your business has been harassed as defined by Maine law, you can file for a protection from harassment order.¹ If you are a minor, see Can I file for a protection from harassment order if I am a minor?

There is no special relationship required between you and the harasser.² For example, the respondent can be a family member, neighbor, or co-worker. You may file against a minor (under 18) only if that minor is emancipated or if the minor has an adult “representative,” usually a parent or guardian.³

Note: In limited circumstances, you may need to first ask law enforcement to issue a written notice to stop the harassment before applying for a protection from harassment order.² See See Under what circumstances would I need to request that law enforcement issue a notice to stop the harassment before applying for an order? for more information. If you are not sure whether or not you would need to seek out this notice in your specific situation, you may want to get advice from a lawyer. Go to our Maine Finding a Lawyer page for legal referrals.

¹ See A Guide to Protection From Abuse & Harassment Cases on the Maine Courts website
² See 5 M.R.S. § 4653(1)
³ See 5 M.R.S. § 4652