Order of Protection
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Plain-English Meaning
A court order requiring one person to stay away from, stop contacting, or stop harassing another person. It is issued to protect a person from abuse, harassment, or threats. Violating it is a crime.
Legal Context
In New York, orders of protection are issued by criminal courts, Family Court, and Supreme Court in domestic relations proceedings. Under Family Court Act § 842, a Family Court order can require the respondent to stay away from the petitioner's home, school, and workplace; refrain from assault, harassment, or stalking; and surrender firearms. Criminal court orders are issued as a condition of release or sentence. Full orders of protection typically prohibit all contact; limited orders allow contact but prohibit harassment.
Real-Life Example
After Maria reported repeated threatening texts from her ex-partner, she filed a family offense petition in Family Court. The judge issued a temporary order of protection directing her ex to have no contact with her. At the next hearing, after both sides were heard, the judge issued a final order of protection for two years.
Related Statutes
Related Terms
Source
Based on N.Y. Family Court Act § 842 and N.Y. CPL § 530.12. Original B-Legal plain-language explanation.
N.Y. Family Court Act § 842
Definitions are simplified for education. Legal meanings vary by jurisdiction, context, and case facts. This definition is original B-Legal content and is not affiliated with or derived from any proprietary legal dictionary.