Restraining Orders

Any protection order that was issued in the U.S. or its territories can be enforced in Wisconsin as long as:

• It was issued to prevent violent or threatening acts, harassing behavior, sexual violence, or it was issued to prevent another person from coming near you or contacting you.¹
• The court that issued the order had jurisdiction over the people and case. In other words, the judge had the authority to hear the case.
• The abuser received notice of the order and had an opportunity to go to court to tell his/her side of the story.
  • In the case of ex parte temporary and emergency orders, the abuser must receive notice and have an opportunity to go to court to tell his/her side of the story at a hearing that is scheduled before the temporary order expires.²

In addition, any Canadian domestic violence protection order can also be enforced in Wisconsin if it meets similar requirements to those mentioned above. You can read the exact requirements that must be met on our WI Statutes page.³

Note: For information on enforcing a military protective order (MPO) off the military installation, or enforcing a civil protection order (CPO) on a military installation, please see our Military Protective Orders page.

¹ 18 U.S.C. § 2266(5)
² 18 U.S.C. § 2265(a) & (b)
³ Wis. Stat. § 813.1283(2)-(4)