Restraining Orders

There are two types of dating violence protective orders: temporary ex parte dating protective orders, and dating protective orders that last one year, three years, or permanently.

If the judge believes that you provided specific facts in your petition that give him/her good reason to believe that an act of dating violence has occurred or is likely to occur, the judge can grant you a temporary ex parte dating protective order. The ex parte dating violence protective order will remain in effect until the judge dismisses the order or a hearing for a twelve- month dating violence protective order takes place.¹

The court will schedule a hearing for a dating violence protective order within ten days of when you file your petition. If the hearing cannot be scheduled within ten days, it must be scheduled as soon as possible and no more than 30 days after you file your petition. The order can be issued only after the abuser has an opportunity to attend a court hearing in which you both have a chance to present evidence, witnesses, testimony, etc. Dating violence protective orders last up to one year, but you can file a motion to ask the judge to turn your temporary order into an order that lasts for up to three years or a permanent order, with no expiration date.²

¹ Ga. Code § 19-13A-3(a)
² Ga. Code §§ 19-13A-3(b); 19-13A-4(d)