Statutes: Northern Mariana Islands

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b), if a court issues an order for protection ex parte or a modification of an order for protection ex parte and the court provides relief pursuant to subsection (b) of Section 1916, the court shall set a date for a hearing on the petition. The hearing must be held within ten days after the order has been served upon the respondent. The court shall notify both parties by first class mail of the date and time of the hearing.

(b) The court shall hold a hearing on the petition within ten days after the filing of the petition if a court issues an order for protection ex parte or a modification of an order of protection ex parte, and

(1) The petitioner requests or the court provides relief in accordance with paragraph (7) or (8) of subsection (b) of Section 1916, concerning custody of a minor child; or

(2) The petitioner requests relief pursuant to paragraph (2), (3), (4) or (5) of subsection (c) of Section 1916. Such a hearing must be given precedence over all matters of the same character.

(c) In a hearing held pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) of this section:

(1) Relief in accordance with Section 1916 is available.

(2) If respondent seeks relief concerning an issue not raised by the petitioner, the court may continue the hearing at the petitioner’s request.

(d) If a court denies a petition for an order for protection or a petition to modify an order for protection that is requested without notice to the respondent, the court shall inform the petitioner of his or her right to request a hearing upon notice to the respondent.