Restraining Orders

A person over 60 years of age, considered an older adult in Puerto Rico, who has been a victim of abuse, abandonment, or any other crime in the Puerto Rico Penal Code, can apply for an order of protection without the need to file a police report or criminal charges. The judge can issue an order of protection if they determine that there is sufficient reason to believe that the older adult (petitioner) has been a victim of abuse, abandonment, or any other crime.¹

This protection order can be filed by the older adult or by a police officer, tutor, public employee, attorney, or anyone else interested in the older adult’s well-being,¹ if:

• the older adult:
  
  • is physically or mentally incapacitated;
  • cannot do it by themselves; or
• it’s an emergency.²

The Office of the Ombudsman for the Elderly might be able to provide you guidance and support through any restraining order or criminal proceedings against the abuser.³

¹ 8 L.P.R.A. § 1519
² 8 L.P.R.A. § 1521
³ 1 L.P.R.A. § 730