Restraining Orders

To file for an HRO, you can go to the district court in the county where you live, where the harasser lives, or where the harassment took place.¹ A judge will decide whether or not to issue you an ex parte temporary order on the day you file. If so, the temporary order will be in effect until a hearing is held on a final restraining order.² The petition and any temporary restraining order must be personally served on the respondent, which is usually done by a peace officer but could also be done by a corrections officer, including probation officers, court services officers, parole officers, and employees of jails or correctional facilities.³ For more information on service of the order, see How can a harassment restraining order be served?

If you or the respondent want to request a hearing, it must be done within 20 days of service of the petition.⁴ If the respondent requests a hearing, you will get notice of the hearing date in the mail at least five days before the hearing. If you request a hearing, the respondent must be personally served with notice at least five days before the hearing.⁵

¹ MN Code § 609.748(2)
² MN Code § 609.748(4)(d)
³ MN Code § 609.748(5b)
⁴ MN Code § 609.748(3)(d), (4)(f)
⁵ MN Code § 609.748(3)(a)