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FAQs
How fast can I get a restraining order in California?
An emergency protective order (EPO) can issue same-day through law enforcement. A temporary restraining order (TRO) is often granted within 24 hours of filing, with a full hearing typically set within about three weeks.
A DVRO or CHRO can affect your firearm rights, child custody, housing, immigration status, and professional licenses — and it appears in the CLETS law-enforcement database. That's why we fight them at trial.
The hearing is a real trial — with evidence, objections, and cross-examination. Whether you're seeking protection or defending yourself, experienced restraining order counsel dramatically changes outcomes.
File your response (Form DV-120 for a domestic violence order or CH-120 for a civil harassment order; equivalent forms for other order types), obey the temporary order completely, preserve your evidence, and appear at the hearing prepared to show the conduct doesn't meet the legal standard, that the allegations are false or exaggerated, or that an affirmative defense applies. The hearing is effectively a compressed trial; most respondents are far better off with counsel. Call (888) 808-2179.
A temporary order generally lasts until the hearing (often about three weeks). After a hearing, a domestic violence order can last up to five years and may be renewed, potentially permanently; civil harassment, workplace violence, school violence, gun violence, and elder-abuse orders have their own durations. Emergency protective orders last only a few days. (Confirm current statutory durations before relying on them.)
A DVRO (Family Code §§ 6200–6460) is for people in a domestic relationship and requires proof of abuse by a preponderance of the evidence. A civil harassment order (CCP § 527.6) is for people without that relationship — neighbors, coworkers, strangers — and requires the higher "clear and convincing evidence" standard.
A civil restraining order is not a criminal conviction, but it is part of the public court record and is entered into the CLETS law-enforcement database, so it can appear on background checks and affect jobs, licensing, and housing.
Yes. A domestic violence restraining order can trigger a rebuttable presumption against awarding custody to the restrained parent under Family Code § 3044, looking back five years — which is why the findings made at the hearing matter so much.
Sometimes. A petitioner can ask the court to dismiss, and a restrained person can seek modification or termination by showing changed circumstances. Never contact the protected person to "work it out" — that can violate the order. If you missed the hearing and the order was entered by default, a motion to vacate under CCP § 473 may be available on a short timeline.
Obey the order, cut off all contact, preserve your evidence, note the hearing date, and call a lawyer immediately at (888) 808-2179. The window to prepare is short.
Family-law DVROs are heard at LA County's regional family-law courthouses (Long Beach/Deukmejian, Van Nuys, Lancaster/Antelope Valley, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Torrance, Norwalk, Pomona, Compton, Inglewood, Chatsworth, Burbank, by region). Civil harassment matters under CCP § 527.6 are commonly heard at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse downtown.
Family-law DVROs at the Lamoreaux Justice Center in Orange; civil harassment matters at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. North, Harbor, and West Justice Centers handle other matters by assignment.
Routing depends on where the parties live: Riverside Family Law Courthouse (central Riverside); Southwest Justice Center (Murrieta); Moreno Valley; Palm Springs; Larson Justice Center (Indio); Menifee Justice Center; Corona; Banning Justice Center.
Yes. A civil harassment restraining order under CCP § 527.6 covers neighbors, strangers, coworkers (without an employer filing a WVRO), and other non-domestic relationships. The burden is clear and convincing evidence, and the order can last up to five years.
It can. Certain DV-related convictions are deportable offenses under 8 U.S.C. § 1227(a)(2)(E), and certain inadmissibility grounds attach even without a conviction. Petitioners may have VAWA-based protections. Both sides should work with counsel coordinated with immigration counsel.
There is no court filing fee for DVRO requests. Civil harassment filings carry a fee with waivers available. Attorney fees vary by matter complexity.
Client Reviews
I hired Matthew Barhoma from The Restraining Order Law Firm after being served with a civil harassment restraining order. Matthew successfully represented me throughout the case and protected my Second Amendment rights, which were at risk because of what I...
The Restraining Order Law Firm was able to successfully assist me in achieving a great outcome! Matthew was extremely attentive in all court appearances and truly fought for me. As matters can get highly emotional, I felt like he had my back every step of the...
Thank you The Restraining Order Law Firm for helping me with my restraining order, I feel extremely safe and have peace of mind now that my stalker has been restrained. I am so grateful for The Restraining Order Law Firm for relentlessly going after my...
The Restraining Order Law Firm successfully placed a restraining order against my EX. They filed an excellent restraining order and fought hard for me in court. Thank you everyone at the team for fighting so hard for my safety as well as my children's safety.