Legal Information: Puerto Rico

Restraining Orders

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Updated: 
December 20, 2022

What is the legal definition of domestic violence in Puerto Rico?

This section defines domestic violence for the purposes of getting a protection order. “Domestic violence” is when a current or former partner repeatedly uses physical force, psychological violence, intimidation, or harassment in order to cause physical harm to yourself, your property, or to another person in order to cause you severe emotional harm.1

In the case of intimidation and psychological violence, the judge can consider animal abuse as part of those behaviors. 2 

1 See 8 L.P.R.A. § 602(q)
2 8 L.P.R.A. § 602(h), (r)

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