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Legal Information: Utah

Restraining Orders

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Updated: 
July 19, 2023

What types of dating violence protective orders are there? How long do they last?

There are two types of dating violence protective orders in Utah:

  1. a temporary (ex parte) dating violence protective order; and
  2. a dating violence protective order issued after notice.

A temporary (ex parte) dating violence protective order can be granted without notice to the abuser.1 The judge must schedule a hearing date for a final protective order within 21 days after issuing the temporary order.2 A judge cannot extend your order for more than 21 days unless you are unable to be at the hearing, the abuser has not been served, or there are other extreme circumstances. However, the temporary order cannot be extended for more than 180 days from when the judge first issued the order.3

A dating violence protective order issued after notice and the opportunity for a hearing can last for three years.4

1 UT ST § 78B-7-402(2)
2 UT ST § 78B-7-405(1)(a)
3 UT ST § 78B-7-405(1)(c)
4 UT ST § 78B-7-405(e)