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Legal Information: Rhode Island

Restraining Orders

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Updated: 
November 30, 2023

Do I have to register my protection order in Rhode Island in order to get it enforced?

No. Police officers must enforce your protection order whether or not you register it. If it is not registered, you will need to show the officer a copy of your protection order, and you may have to swear in writing that it is still in effect.1

While you do not have to register your protection order in order to get it enforced, one benefit of registration is that you may be able to get your order enforced, even if you are not carrying a copy of the order with you when the police officer arrives at the scene.2 Protection orders that are registered in Rhode Island are kept in RONCO, the Rhode Island Restraining Order/No Contact Order Registry, and Rhode Island police officers should have access to this registry when they come to the scene.

1 RI Gen. Laws § 12-29-1.1(b)
2 RI Gen. Laws § 12-29-1.1(b)

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