If you are in immediate danger, call 911. A protective order is a legal tool, not an emergency service.
What a protective order does
For someone experiencing family violence, a protective order is a court order directing the other person to stay away and stop. Texas law defines family violence to include an act intended to result in physical harm, bodily injury, assault or sexual assault, and a threat that reasonably places someone in fear of imminent harm — but not defensive measures taken to protect yourself (Texas Family Code § 71.004). It also covers abuse toward a child of the family or household, and dating violence.
A protective order can, among other things:
- prohibit contact, communication and threats
- keep the person away from your home and your workplace
- keep the person away from your children's school or daycare
- prevent the person from removing the children
- require attendance at a battering intervention or anger management program
Who can apply
An adult member of the family or household may apply for a protective order — for themselves or for another member of the family or household (Texas Family Code § 82.002). Where the violence arises from a dating relationship, an adult member of that relationship may apply.
How quickly it moves
This is the part most people need to hear first: it is fast. Once the application is filed, the court must set a hearing, and it may not set that date later than the 14th day after the application was filed (Texas Family Code § 84.001). A narrow exception applies in certain counties (§ 84.002). If your situation cannot wait even that long, tell us — there are temporary ex parte orders available in the meantime.
How long it lasts
A protective order is effective for the period stated in the order, up to two years; if no period is stated, it runs until the second anniversary of the date it was issued (Texas Family Code § 85.025). A court can order a longer period where it finds the person committed a felony offence involving family violence, or caused serious bodily injury, or where there have been previous protective orders.
What we do
We help you assemble what the court needs — the account of what happened, the dates, the messages, the police reports, the medical records — and we file it. Collin County applications are heard in McKinney, and our office is minutes from the courthouse. If you are on the receiving end of an application you believe is unfounded, we handle that side as well; a protective order carries consequences that follow a person for years.
Talk to someone today
Call (214) 373-6556. If it is not safe to talk on your own phone, use one you trust.