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Legal Information: Virginia

Restraining Orders

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Laws current as of July 9, 2025

What protections can I get in an emergency protective order?

An emergency protective order can:

  • prohibit acts of family abuse or criminal offenses that result in injury to you or your property;
  • prohibit any contact by the abuser with you or your family or household members, including prohibiting the abuser from being in your “physical presence” (Note: “physical presence” includes intentionally maintaining eye contact with you or unreasonably being within 100 feet of your home or work);
  • give you possession of a pet or companion animal if you are considered an owner of the pet;
  • if the abuser is a minor, order the local board of social services to provide services to the child and family; and
  • give you possession of the home that you and the abuser share, and remove (exclude) the abuser.1

1 Va. Code § 16.1-253.4(B), (J)

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