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Legal Information: Puerto Rico

Restraining Orders

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Laws current as of November 25, 2023

I was not granted a protection order. What are my options?

If you did not get a protection order, there are other options you can consider. One option is to go to a municipal court to:

  • establish temporary custody and child support;
  • ask for temporary possession and use of the shared home; and
  • ask the judge to order the return of your possessions or assets.1

You can also contact a domestic violence organization in your area to get help, support, and legal advice. They can help you develop a safety plan and connect you with the information that you are looking for. For information and ideas for safety planning, visit our Safety Planning page. You can find contact information for domestic violence organizations at PR Advocates and Shelters.

You may be able to apply again for a protection order if new acts of violence occur after having been denied the order.

The judge should issue a written decision that should explain the reason for the denial of the order.2 If you think that the judge made an error, you can talk to a lawyer about the possibility of filing an appeal. Generally, appeals are complicated, and it is very likely that you will need the help of a lawyer. For more information about appeals, go to our Filing an Appeal page.

1 32 L.P.R.A. § 2872
2 8 L.P.R.A. § 621