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Legal Information: Minnesota

Restraining Orders

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Updated: 
August 6, 2020

Who can file a contempt of court petition to report a violation to the judge?

In addition to (or instead of) reporting a violation to the police, a petition to hold the abuser in contempt of court can be filed in the court that issued the harassment restraining order. You (the victim) can file the petition or it can be filed by a peace officer, or an “interested party” who is chosen by the judge. The judge will then issue an order requiring the abuser to appear in court within 14 days to explain why s/he should not be held in contempt of court. The judge can also refer the violations to the appropriate prosecuting authority.1

1 MN Code § 609.748(6)(i)

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