Restraining Orders

Emergency, preliminary and final protective orders can order the abuser to:

• not commit acts of violence, force, or threat, or crimes resulting in injury to a person or damage to property;
• prohibit any contact by the abuser with you or your family or household members (and, for emergency orders only, this can include prohibiting the abuser from being in your/their “physical presence,” which includes intentionally maintaining eye contact with you/them or unreasonably being within 100 feet from your/their home or work);
• grant you possession of a pet or companion animal (if you are considered an owner of the pet); and/or
• follow any other orders the judge decides are necessary to prevent:
  • acts of violence, force, or threat,
  • crimes resulting in injury to a person or damage to property, or
  • communication or other contact of any kind by the abuser.¹

¹ Va. Code §§ 19.2-152.8(B),(J); 19.2-152.9(A); 19.2-152.10(A)