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Legal Information: Puerto Rico

Restraining Orders

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Laws current as of November 25, 2023

Who can file for an order of protection for the elderly?

Any elderly person (age 60 or older) who has been a victim of abuse 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. When the judge determines that there is sufficient reason to believe that the petitioner has been a victim of abuse or of any other crime, s/he can issue an order of protection.1

In addition, the elderly person can apply for an order of protection through someone else, including a police officer or public employee, if the elderly person cannot go to court to file the order for any of the following reasons:

  • s/he suffers from a physical or mental disability;
  • in case of emergency; or
  • when the person is prevented from apply for him/herself.1

1 8 L.P.R.A. § 1519

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