Restraining Orders

A temporary or final order of protection can:

• order the abuser to:
  • stop committing or threatening to commit acts of violence against you or your family members;
  • stop harassing, annoying, disturbing the peace of, contacting, or otherwise communicating directly or indirectly with you, your family members, or any witness to the abuse;
  • not remove your child from the state (“jurisdiction of the court”);
  • leave and stay 1,500 feet away from you, your home, school, work, or another specific place;
  • be removed (“excluded”) from your home regardless of who owns the home;
  • not transfer, hide, or get rid of any property except as would normally be done in the “usual course of business”;
  • give you possession and use of the home, a car, and other essential property, no matter who owns any of these things, and order law enforcement to accompany you to the home to get these items;
  • complete violence counseling, and, if necessary, drug counseling or treatment;
  • not possess or use a firearm if s/he used one in an assault against you; and
• grant any other relief that is necessary to provide for the safety and welfare of you or your family members.¹

Whether a judge orders any or all of the above depends on the facts of your case.

¹ Mont. Code §§ 40-15-201(2); 40-15-204(3)