{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/19.2-152.10.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/19.2-152.10.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/19.2-152.10.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/19.2-152.10.html"}],"law_id":83461,"edition_id":1,"section_id":83461,"structure_id":15107,"section_number":"19.2-152.10","catch_line":"Protective order","history":"1997, c. 831; 1998, cc. 569, 684; 1999, c. 371; 2002, cc. 507, 810, 818; 2003, c. 730; 2008, cc. 73, 246; 2009, cc. 341, 732; 2010, cc. 425, 468; 2011, cc. 445, 480; 2012, cc. 152, 261; 2014, c. 346; 2018, c. 652; 2020, cc. 137, 1005; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 489; 2023, cc. 620, 621, 742; 2024, c. 594; 2025, c. 26.","full_text":"A\n\nThe court may issue a protective order pursuant to this chapter to protect the health and safety of the petitioner and family or household members of a petitioner upon (i) the issuance of a petition or warrant for, or a conviction of, any criminal offense resulting from the commission of an act of violence, force, or threat or (ii) a hearing held pursuant to subsection D of \u00a7 19.2-152.9. A protective order issued under this section may include any one or more of the following conditions to be imposed on the respondent:1\n\nProhibiting acts of violence, force, or threat or criminal offenses that may result in injury to person or property;2\n\nProhibiting such contacts by the respondent with the petitioner or family or household members of the petitioner as the court deems necessary for the health or safety of such persons;3\n\nAny other relief necessary to prevent (i) acts of violence, force, or threat, (ii) criminal offenses that may result in injury to person or property, or (iii) communication or other contact of any kind by the respondent; and4\n\nGranting the petitioner the possession of any companion animal as defined in § 3.2-6500 if such petitioner meets the definition of owner in § 3.2-6500.\n\t\t\t\tIn addition, if the respondent is a juvenile, the court may, upon its own motion or upon the motion of the attorney or guardian ad litem representing the respondent, enter an order requiring the local board of social services to provide services to the child and family.B\n\n1. Except as provided in subsection C, the protective order may be issued for a specified period of time up to a maximum of two years. The protective order shall expire at 11:59 p.m. on the last day specified or at 11:59 p.m. on the last day of the two-year period if no date is specified. Prior to the expiration of the protective order, a petitioner may file a written motion requesting a hearing to extend the order. Proceedings to extend a protective order shall be given precedence on the docket of the court. A written motion requesting a hearing to extend the protective order shall be served as soon as possible on the respondent.\n\t\t\tThe court may extend the protective order for a period not longer than two years to protect the health and safety of the petitioner or persons who are family or household members of the petitioner at the time the request for an extension is made. The extension of the protective order shall expire at 11:59 p.m. on the last day specified or at 11:59 p.m. on the last day of the two-year period if no date is specified. Nothing herein shall limit the number of extensions that may be requested or issued.2\n\nUpon the filing of a written motion requesting a hearing to extend the protective order, the court may issue an ex parte protective order pursuant to § 19.2-152.9 until the extension hearing. The ex parte preliminary protective order shall specify a date for the extension hearing, which shall be held within 15 days of the issuance of the ex parte preliminary protective order and may be held after the expiration of the protective order. If the respondent fails to appear at the extension hearing because the respondent was not personally served, the court shall schedule a new date for the extension hearing and may extend the ex parte protective order until such new date. The extended ex parte protective order shall be served as soon as possible on the respondent. If the respondent was personally served, where the petitioner shows by clear and convincing evidence that a continuance is necessary to meet the ends of justice or the respondent shows good cause, the court may continue the extension hearing and such ex parte protective order shall remain in effect until the extension hearing.C\n\nUpon conviction for an act of violence as defined in § 19.2-297.1 and upon the request of the victim or of the attorney for the Commonwealth on behalf of the victim, the court may issue a protective order to the victim pursuant to this chapter to protect the health and safety of the victim. The protective order may be issued for any reasonable period of time, including up to the lifetime of the defendant, that the court deems necessary to protect the health and safety of the victim. The protective order shall expire at 11:59 p.m. on the last day specified in the protective order, if any. Upon a conviction for violation of a protective order issued pursuant to this subsection, the court that issued the original protective order may extend the protective order as the court deems necessary to protect the health and safety of the victim. The extension of the protective order shall expire at 11:59 p.m. on the last day specified, if any. Nothing herein shall limit the number of extensions that may be issued.D\n\nA copy of the protective order shall be served on the respondent and provided to the petitioner as soon as possible. The court, including a circuit court if the circuit court issued the order, shall forthwith, but in all cases no later than the end of the business day on which the order was issued, enter and transfer electronically to the Virginia Criminal Information Network the respondent’s identifying information and the name, date of birth, sex, and race of each protected person provided to the court and shall forthwith forward the attested copy of the protective order and containing any such identifying information to the primary law-enforcement agency responsible for service and entry of protective orders. Upon receipt of the order by the primary law-enforcement agency, the agency shall forthwith verify and enter any modification as necessary to the identifying information and other appropriate information required by the Department of State Police into the Virginia Criminal Information Network established and maintained by the Department pursuant to Chapter 2 (§ 52-12 et seq.) of Title 52 and the order shall be served forthwith upon the respondent and due return made to the court. Upon service, the agency making service shall enter the date and time of service and other appropriate information required into the Virginia Criminal Information Network and make due return to the court. If the order is later dissolved or modified, a copy of the dissolution or modification order shall also be attested, forwarded forthwith to the primary law-enforcement agency responsible for service and entry of protective orders, and upon receipt of the order by the primary law-enforcement agency, the agency shall forthwith verify and enter any modification as necessary to the identifying information and other appropriate information required by the Department of State Police into the Virginia Criminal Information Network as described above and the order shall be served forthwith and due return made to the court.E\n\nExcept as otherwise provided, a violation of a protective order issued under this section shall constitute contempt of court.F\n\nThe court may assess costs and attorney fees against either party regardless of whether an order of protection has been issued as a result of a full hearing.G\n\nAny judgment, order or decree, whether permanent or temporary, issued by a court of appropriate jurisdiction in another state, the United States or any of its territories, possessions or Commonwealths, the District of Columbia or by any tribal court of appropriate jurisdiction for the purpose of preventing violent or threatening acts or harassment against or contact or communication with or physical proximity to another person, including any of the conditions specified in subsection A, shall be accorded full faith and credit and enforced in the Commonwealth as if it were an order of the Commonwealth, provided reasonable notice and opportunity to be heard were given by the issuing jurisdiction to the person against whom the order is sought to be enforced sufficient to protect such person’s due process rights and consistent with federal law. A person entitled to protection under such a foreign order may file the order in any appropriate district court by filing with the court, an attested or exemplified copy of the order. Upon such a filing, the clerk shall forthwith forward an attested copy of the order to the primary law-enforcement agency responsible for service and entry of protective orders which shall, upon receipt, enter the name of the person subject to the order and other appropriate information required by the Department of State Police into the Virginia Criminal Information Network established and maintained by the Department pursuant to Chapter 2 (§ 52-12 et seq.) of Title 52. Where practical, the court may transfer information electronically to the Virginia Criminal Information Network.\n\t\t\tUpon inquiry by any law-enforcement agency of the Commonwealth, the clerk shall make a copy available of any foreign order filed with that court. A law-enforcement officer may, in the performance of his duties, rely upon a copy of a foreign protective order or other suitable evidence which has been provided to him by any source and may also rely upon the statement of any person protected by the order that the order remains in effect.H\n\nEither party may at any time file a written motion with the court requesting a hearing to dissolve or modify the order. Proceedings to modify or dissolve a protective order shall be given precedence on the docket of the court. Upon petitioner’s motion to dissolve the protective order, a dissolution order may be issued ex parte by the court with or without a hearing. If an ex parte hearing is held, it shall be heard by the court as soon as practicable. If a dissolution order is issued ex parte, the court shall serve a copy of such dissolution order on respondent in conformity with §§ 8.01-286.1 and 8.01-296.I\n\nNeither a law-enforcement agency, the attorney for the Commonwealth, a court nor the clerk’s office, nor any employee of them, may disclose, except among themselves, the residential address, telephone number, or place of employment of the person protected by the order or that of the family of such person, except to the extent that disclosure is (i) required by law or the Rules of the Supreme Court, (ii) necessary for law-enforcement purposes, or (iii) permitted by the court for good cause.J\n\nNo fees shall be charged for filing or serving petitions pursuant to this section.K\n\nAs used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Copy” includes a facsimile copy.\n\t\t\t“Protective order” includes an initial, modified or extended protective order.L\n\nUpon issuance of a protective order, the clerk of the court shall make available to the petitioner information that is published by the Department of Criminal Justice Services for victims of domestic violence or for petitioners in protective order cases.M\n\nAn appeal of a final protective order issued by a circuit court pursuant to this section shall be given expedited review by the Court of Appeals.N\n\nThe respondent shall be required to notify the court in writing within seven days of any change of residence while the protective order is in effect, provided that the respondent has been served a copy of such order in accordance with the provisions of this section. A violation of this subsection shall be punishable by contempt.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":299047,"text":"The court may issue a protective order pursuant to this chapter to protect the health and safety of the petitioner and family or household members of a petitioner upon (i) the issuance of a petition or warrant for, or a conviction of, any criminal offense resulting from the commission of an act of violence, force, or threat or (ii) a hearing held pursuant to subsection D of \u00a7 19.2-152.9. A protective order issued under this section may include any one or more of the following conditions to be imposed on the respondent:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":299048,"text":"Prohibiting acts of violence, force, or threat or criminal offenses that may result in injury to person or property;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":299049,"text":"Prohibiting such contacts by the respondent with the petitioner or family or household members of the petitioner as the court deems necessary for the health or safety of such persons;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":299050,"text":"Any other relief necessary to prevent (i) acts of violence, force, or threat, (ii) criminal offenses that may result in injury to person or property, or (iii) communication or other contact of any kind by the respondent; and","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":299051,"text":"Granting the petitioner the possession of any companion animal as defined in § 3.2-6500 if such petitioner meets the definition of owner in § 3.2-6500.\n\t\t\t\tIn addition, if the respondent is a juvenile, the court may, upon its own motion or upon the motion of the attorney or guardian ad litem representing the respondent, enter an order requiring the local board of social services to provide services to the child and family.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"B"},"5":{"id":299052,"text":"1. Except as provided in subsection C, the protective order may be issued for a specified period of time up to a maximum of two years. The protective order shall expire at 11:59 p.m. on the last day specified or at 11:59 p.m. on the last day of the two-year period if no date is specified. Prior to the expiration of the protective order, a petitioner may file a written motion requesting a hearing to extend the order. Proceedings to extend a protective order shall be given precedence on the docket of the court. A written motion requesting a hearing to extend the protective order shall be served as soon as possible on the respondent.\n\t\t\tThe court may extend the protective order for a period not longer than two years to protect the health and safety of the petitioner or persons who are family or household members of the petitioner at the time the request for an extension is made. The extension of the protective order shall expire at 11:59 p.m. on the last day specified or at 11:59 p.m. on the last day of the two-year period if no date is specified. Nothing herein shall limit the number of extensions that may be requested or issued.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"B2"},"6":{"id":299053,"text":"Upon the filing of a written motion requesting a hearing to extend the protective order, the court may issue an ex parte protective order pursuant to § 19.2-152.9 until the extension hearing. The ex parte preliminary protective order shall specify a date for the extension hearing, which shall be held within 15 days of the issuance of the ex parte preliminary protective order and may be held after the expiration of the protective order. If the respondent fails to appear at the extension hearing because the respondent was not personally served, the court shall schedule a new date for the extension hearing and may extend the ex parte protective order until such new date. The extended ex parte protective order shall be served as soon as possible on the respondent. If the respondent was personally served, where the petitioner shows by clear and convincing evidence that a continuance is necessary to meet the ends of justice or the respondent shows good cause, the court may continue the extension hearing and such ex parte protective order shall remain in effect until the extension hearing.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"C"},"7":{"id":299054,"text":"Upon conviction for an act of violence as defined in § 19.2-297.1 and upon the request of the victim or of the attorney for the Commonwealth on behalf of the victim, the court may issue a protective order to the victim pursuant to this chapter to protect the health and safety of the victim. The protective order may be issued for any reasonable period of time, including up to the lifetime of the defendant, that the court deems necessary to protect the health and safety of the victim. The protective order shall expire at 11:59 p.m. on the last day specified in the protective order, if any. Upon a conviction for violation of a protective order issued pursuant to this subsection, the court that issued the original protective order may extend the protective order as the court deems necessary to protect the health and safety of the victim. The extension of the protective order shall expire at 11:59 p.m. on the last day specified, if any. Nothing herein shall limit the number of extensions that may be issued.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"D"},"8":{"id":299055,"text":"A copy of the protective order shall be served on the respondent and provided to the petitioner as soon as possible. The court, including a circuit court if the circuit court issued the order, shall forthwith, but in all cases no later than the end of the business day on which the order was issued, enter and transfer electronically to the Virginia Criminal Information Network the respondent’s identifying information and the name, date of birth, sex, and race of each protected person provided to the court and shall forthwith forward the attested copy of the protective order and containing any such identifying information to the primary law-enforcement agency responsible for service and entry of protective orders. Upon receipt of the order by the primary law-enforcement agency, the agency shall forthwith verify and enter any modification as necessary to the identifying information and other appropriate information required by the Department of State Police into the Virginia Criminal Information Network established and maintained by the Department pursuant to Chapter 2 (§ 52-12 et seq.) of Title 52 and the order shall be served forthwith upon the respondent and due return made to the court. Upon service, the agency making service shall enter the date and time of service and other appropriate information required into the Virginia Criminal Information Network and make due return to the court. If the order is later dissolved or modified, a copy of the dissolution or modification order shall also be attested, forwarded forthwith to the primary law-enforcement agency responsible for service and entry of protective orders, and upon receipt of the order by the primary law-enforcement agency, the agency shall forthwith verify and enter any modification as necessary to the identifying information and other appropriate information required by the Department of State Police into the Virginia Criminal Information Network as described above and the order shall be served forthwith and due return made to the court.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"9":{"id":299056,"text":"Except as otherwise provided, a violation of a protective order issued under this section shall constitute contempt of court.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"10":{"id":299057,"text":"The court may assess costs and attorney fees against either party regardless of whether an order of protection has been issued as a result of a full hearing.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"G"},"11":{"id":299058,"text":"Any judgment, order or decree, whether permanent or temporary, issued by a court of appropriate jurisdiction in another state, the United States or any of its territories, possessions or Commonwealths, the District of Columbia or by any tribal court of appropriate jurisdiction for the purpose of preventing violent or threatening acts or harassment against or contact or communication with or physical proximity to another person, including any of the conditions specified in subsection A, shall be accorded full faith and credit and enforced in the Commonwealth as if it were an order of the Commonwealth, provided reasonable notice and opportunity to be heard were given by the issuing jurisdiction to the person against whom the order is sought to be enforced sufficient to protect such person’s due process rights and consistent with federal law. A person entitled to protection under such a foreign order may file the order in any appropriate district court by filing with the court, an attested or exemplified copy of the order. Upon such a filing, the clerk shall forthwith forward an attested copy of the order to the primary law-enforcement agency responsible for service and entry of protective orders which shall, upon receipt, enter the name of the person subject to the order and other appropriate information required by the Department of State Police into the Virginia Criminal Information Network established and maintained by the Department pursuant to Chapter 2 (§ 52-12 et seq.) of Title 52. Where practical, the court may transfer information electronically to the Virginia Criminal Information Network.\n\t\t\tUpon inquiry by any law-enforcement agency of the Commonwealth, the clerk shall make a copy available of any foreign order filed with that court. A law-enforcement officer may, in the performance of his duties, rely upon a copy of a foreign protective order or other suitable evidence which has been provided to him by any source and may also rely upon the statement of any person protected by the order that the order remains in effect.","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F","next_prefix":"H"},"12":{"id":299059,"text":"Either party may at any time file a written motion with the court requesting a hearing to dissolve or modify the order. Proceedings to modify or dissolve a protective order shall be given precedence on the docket of the court. Upon petitioner’s motion to dissolve the protective order, a dissolution order may be issued ex parte by the court with or without a hearing. If an ex parte hearing is held, it shall be heard by the court as soon as practicable. If a dissolution order is issued ex parte, the court shall serve a copy of such dissolution order on respondent in conformity with §§ 8.01-286.1 and 8.01-296.","type":"section","prefixes":["H"],"prefix":"H","entire_prefix":"H","prefix_anchor":"H","level":1,"prior_prefix":"G","next_prefix":"I"},"13":{"id":299060,"text":"Neither a law-enforcement agency, the attorney for the Commonwealth, a court nor the clerk’s office, nor any employee of them, may disclose, except among themselves, the residential address, telephone number, or place of employment of the person protected by the order or that of the family of such person, except to the extent that disclosure is (i) required by law or the Rules of the Supreme Court, (ii) necessary for law-enforcement purposes, or (iii) permitted by the court for good cause.","type":"section","prefixes":["I"],"prefix":"I","entire_prefix":"I","prefix_anchor":"I","level":1,"prior_prefix":"H","next_prefix":"J"},"14":{"id":299061,"text":"No fees shall be charged for filing or serving petitions pursuant to this section.","type":"section","prefixes":["J"],"prefix":"J","entire_prefix":"J","prefix_anchor":"J","level":1,"prior_prefix":"I","next_prefix":"K"},"15":{"id":299062,"text":"As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Copy” includes a facsimile copy.\n\t\t\t“Protective order” includes an initial, modified or extended protective order.","type":"section","prefixes":["K"],"prefix":"K","entire_prefix":"K","prefix_anchor":"K","level":1,"prior_prefix":"J","next_prefix":"L"},"16":{"id":299063,"text":"Upon issuance of a protective order, the clerk of the court shall make available to the petitioner information that is published by the Department of Criminal Justice Services for victims of domestic violence or for petitioners in protective order cases.","type":"section","prefixes":["L"],"prefix":"L","entire_prefix":"L","prefix_anchor":"L","level":1,"prior_prefix":"K","next_prefix":"M"},"17":{"id":299064,"text":"An appeal of a final protective order issued by a circuit court pursuant to this section shall be given expedited review by the Court of Appeals.","type":"section","prefixes":["M"],"prefix":"M","entire_prefix":"M","prefix_anchor":"M","level":1,"prior_prefix":"L","next_prefix":"N"},"18":{"id":299065,"text":"The respondent shall be required to notify the court in writing within seven days of any change of residence while the protective order is in effect, provided that the respondent has been served a copy of such order in accordance with the provisions of this section. A violation of this subsection shall be punishable by contempt.","type":"section","prefixes":["N"],"prefix":"N","entire_prefix":"N","prefix_anchor":"N","level":1,"prior_prefix":"M"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15107,"edition_id":1,"name":"Protective Orders","identifier":"9.1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12801,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:52:11","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:52:11","permalink":{"id":171401,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15107,"identifier":"9.1","token":"19.2\/9.1","url":"\/19.2\/9.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12801,"edition_id":1,"name":"Criminal Procedure","identifier":"19.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":168169,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12801,"identifier":"19.2","token":"19.2","url":"\/19.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":83461,"structure_id":15107,"section_number":"19.2-152.10","catch_line":"Protective order","url":"\/19.2-152.10\/","token":"19.2\/9.1\/19.2-152.10","metadata":false},{"id":61690,"structure_id":15107,"section_number":"19.2-152.10:1","catch_line":"Hope Card Program for persons protected by protective orders","url":"\/19.2-152.10_1\/","token":"19.2\/9.1\/19.2-152.10_1","metadata":false},{"id":81503,"structure_id":15107,"section_number":"19.2-152.11","catch_line":"Venue for protective orders","url":"\/19.2-152.11\/","token":"19.2\/9.1\/19.2-152.11","metadata":false},{"id":76411,"structure_id":15107,"section_number":"19.2-152.12","catch_line":"Compensation for required representation of respondents","url":"\/19.2-152.12\/","token":"19.2\/9.1\/19.2-152.12","metadata":false},{"id":81395,"structure_id":15107,"section_number":"19.2-152.7:1","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/19.2-152.7_1\/","token":"19.2\/9.1\/19.2-152.7_1","metadata":false},{"id":67602,"structure_id":15107,"section_number":"19.2-152.8","catch_line":"Emergency protective orders authorized","url":"\/19.2-152.8\/","token":"19.2\/9.1\/19.2-152.8","metadata":false},{"id":57556,"structure_id":15107,"section_number":"19.2-152.9","catch_line":"Preliminary protective orders","url":"\/19.2-152.9\/","token":"19.2\/9.1\/19.2-152.9","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":61690,"structure_id":15107,"section_number":"19.2-152.10:1","catch_line":"Hope Card Program for persons protected by protective orders","url":"\/19.2-152.10_1\/","token":"19.2\/9.1\/19.2-152.10_1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/19.2-152.10\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1997. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 831<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 15 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1998, chapters 569<\/a> and 684<\/a>; in 1999, chapter 371<\/a>; in 2002, chapters 507<\/a>, 810<\/a>, and 818<\/a>; in 2003, chapter 730<\/a>; in 2008, chapters 73<\/a> and 246<\/a>; in 2009, chapters 341<\/a> and 732<\/a>; in 2010, chapters 425<\/a> and 468<\/a>; in 2011, chapters 445<\/a> and 480<\/a>; in 2012, chapters 152<\/a> and 261<\/a>; in 2014, chapter 346<\/a>; in 2018, chapter 652<\/a>; in 2020, chapters 137<\/a> and 1005<\/a>; in 2023, chapters 620<\/a>, 621<\/a>, and 742<\/a>; in 2024, chapter 594<\/a>; in 2025, chapter 26<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":79702,"section_number":"16.1-106","catch_line":"Appeals from courts not of record in civil cases","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-106\/"},{"id":79859,"section_number":"16.1-112","catch_line":"All papers transmitted to appellate court; further proceedings","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-112\/"},{"id":71312,"section_number":"16.1-241","catch_line":"Jurisdiction; consent for abortion","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-241\/"},{"id":57160,"section_number":"16.1-260","catch_line":"Intake; petition; investigation","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-260\/"},{"id":54404,"section_number":"16.1-298","catch_line":"Effect of petition for or pendency of appeal; bail","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-298\/"},{"id":69430,"section_number":"17.1-513","catch_line":"Jurisdiction of circuit courts","order_by":null,"url":"\/17.1-513\/"},{"id":76989,"section_number":"18.2-119","catch_line":"Trespass after having been forbidden to do so; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-119\/"},{"id":72509,"section_number":"18.2-308.1:4","catch_line":"Purchase or transportation of firearm by persons subject to protective orders; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-308.1_4\/"},{"id":63272,"section_number":"18.2-324.2","catch_line":"Use of unmanned aircraft system for certain purposes; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-324.2\/"},{"id":86834,"section_number":"18.2-60.4","catch_line":"Violation of protective orders; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-60.4\/"},{"id":68255,"section_number":"18.2-60.5","catch_line":"Unauthorized use of electronic tracking device; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-60.5\/"},{"id":61690,"section_number":"19.2-152.10:1","catch_line":"Hope Card Program for persons protected by protective orders","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-152.10_1\/"},{"id":67602,"section_number":"19.2-152.8","catch_line":"Emergency protective orders authorized","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-152.8\/"},{"id":57556,"section_number":"19.2-152.9","catch_line":"Preliminary protective orders","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-152.9\/"},{"id":55954,"section_number":"19.2-368.10","catch_line":"When awards to be made; reporting crime to law enforcement","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-368.10\/"},{"id":86739,"section_number":"19.2-81.3","catch_line":"Arrest without a warrant authorized in cases of assault and battery against a family or household member and stalking and for violations of protective orders; procedure, etc","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-81.3\/"},{"id":68972,"section_number":"55.1-1236","catch_line":"Early termination of rental agreements by victims of family abuse, sexual abuse or other criminal sexual assault, or stalking","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1236\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":57556,"section_number":"19.2-152.9","catch_line":"Preliminary protective orders","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-152.9\/"},{"id":56020,"section_number":"19.2-297.1","catch_line":"Sentence of person twice previously convicted of certain violent felonies","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-297.1\/"},{"id":86401,"section_number":"3.2-6500","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6500\/"},{"id":60818,"section_number":"52-12","catch_line":"Establishment of State Police communication system","order_by":null,"url":"\/52-12\/"},{"id":82871,"section_number":"8.01-286.1","catch_line":"Service of process; waiver, duty to save costs, request to waive, how served","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-286.1\/"}],"permalink":{"id":171403,"object_type":"law","relational_id":83461,"identifier":"19.2-152.10","token":"19.2\/9.1\/19.2-152.10","url":"\/19.2-152.10\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/19.2-152.10\/","token":"19.2\/9.1\/19.2-152.10","dublin_core":{"Title":"Protective order","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 19.2-152.10","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The court<\/span> may issue<\/span> a protective order<\/span> pursuant to this chapter to protect the health and safety of the petitioner and family or household members of a petitioner upon (i) the issuance of a petition<\/span> or warrant for, or a conviction<\/span> of, any criminal offense<\/span> resulting from the commission of an act of violence, force, or threat<\/span> or (ii) a hearing<\/span> held pursuant to subsection D of \u00a7 19.2-152.9<\/a>. A protective order<\/span> issued under this section may include any one or more of the following conditions to be imposed on the respondent: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Prohibiting acts of violence, force, or threat or criminal offenses<\/span> that may result in injury to person or property; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Prohibiting such contacts by the respondent with the petitioner or family or household members of the petitioner as the court<\/span> deems necessary for the health or safety of such persons; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Any other relief necessary to prevent (i) acts of violence, force, or threat, (ii) criminal offenses<\/span> that may result in injury to person or property, or (iii) communication or other contact of any kind by the respondent; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Granting the petitioner the possession<\/span> of any companion animal as defined in § 3.2-6500<\/a> if such petitioner meets the definition of owner in § 3.2-6500<\/a>.\n\t\t\t\tIn addition, if the respondent is a juvenile, the court<\/span> may, upon its own motion<\/span> or upon the motion<\/span> of the attorney or guardian ad litem<\/span> representing the respondent, enter an order requiring the local board of social services to provide services to the child and family. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> 1. Except as provided in subsection C, the protective order<\/span> may be issued for a specified period of time up to a maximum of two years. The protective order<\/span> shall expire at 11:59 p.m. on the last day specified or at 11:59 p.m. on the last day of the two-year period if no date is specified. Prior to the expiration of the protective order<\/span>, a petitioner may file a written motion<\/span> requesting a hearing<\/span> to extend the order. Proceedings to extend a protective order<\/span> shall be given precedence on the docket<\/span> of the court<\/span>. A written motion<\/span> requesting a hearing<\/span> to extend the protective order<\/span> shall be served as soon as possible on the respondent.\n\t\t\tThe court<\/span> may extend the protective order<\/span> for a period not longer than two years to protect the health and safety of the petitioner or persons who are family or household members of the petitioner at the time the request for an extension is made. The extension of the protective order<\/span> shall expire at 11:59 p.m. on the last day specified or at 11:59 p.m. on the last day of the two-year period if no date is specified. Nothing herein shall limit the number of extensions that may be requested or issued. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Upon the filing of a written motion<\/span> requesting a hearing<\/span> to extend the protective order<\/span>, the court<\/span> may issue<\/span> an ex parte<\/span> protective order<\/span> pursuant to § 19.2-152.9<\/a> until the extension hearing<\/span>. The ex parte<\/span> preliminary protective order<\/span> shall specify a date for the extension hearing<\/span>, which shall be held within 15 days of the issuance of the ex parte<\/span> preliminary protective order<\/span> and may be held after the expiration of the protective order<\/span>. If the respondent fails to appear at the extension hearing<\/span> because the respondent was not personally served, the court<\/span> shall schedule a new date for the extension hearing<\/span> and may extend the ex parte<\/span> protective order<\/span> until such new date. The extended ex parte<\/span> protective order<\/span> shall be served as soon as possible on the respondent. If the respondent was personally served, where the petitioner shows by clear and convincing evidence<\/span> that a continuance<\/span> is necessary to meet the ends of justice or the respondent shows good cause, the court<\/span> may continue the extension hearing<\/span> and such ex parte<\/span> protective order<\/span> shall remain in effect until the extension hearing<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Upon conviction<\/span> for an act of violence as defined in § 19.2-297.1<\/a> and upon the request of the victim or of the attorney for the Commonwealth on behalf of the victim, the court<\/span> may issue<\/span> a protective order<\/span> to the victim pursuant to this chapter to protect the health and safety of the victim. The protective order<\/span> may be issued for any reasonable period of time, including up to the lifetime of the defendant<\/span>, that the court<\/span> deems necessary to protect the health and safety of the victim. The protective order<\/span> shall expire at 11:59 p.m. on the last day specified in the protective order<\/span>, if any. Upon a conviction<\/span> for violation of a protective order<\/span> issued pursuant to this subsection, the court<\/span> that issued the original protective order<\/span> may extend the protective order<\/span> as the court<\/span> deems necessary to protect the health and safety of the victim. The extension of the protective order<\/span> shall expire at 11:59 p.m. on the last day specified, if any. Nothing herein shall limit the number of extensions that may be issued. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> A copy<\/span> of the protective order<\/span> shall be served on the respondent and provided to the petitioner as soon as possible. The court<\/span>, including a circuit<\/span> court<\/span> if the circuit<\/span> court<\/span> issued the order, shall forthwith, but in all cases no later than the end of the business day on which the order was issued, enter and transfer electronically to the Virginia Criminal Information Network the respondent’s identifying information and the name, date of birth, sex, and race of each protected person provided to the court<\/span> and shall forthwith forward the attested copy<\/span> of the protective order<\/span> and containing any such identifying information to the primary law<\/span>-enforcement agency responsible for service and entry of protective orders<\/span>. Upon receipt of the order by the primary law<\/span>-enforcement agency, the agency shall forthwith verify and enter any modification as necessary to the identifying information and other appropriate information required by the Department of State Police into the Virginia Criminal Information Network established and maintained by the Department pursuant to Chapter 2 (§ 52-12<\/a> et seq.) of Title 52 and the order shall be served forthwith upon the respondent and due return made to the court<\/span>. Upon service, the agency making service shall enter the date and time of service and other appropriate information required into the Virginia Criminal Information Network and make due return to the court<\/span>. If the order is later dissolved or modified, a copy<\/span> of the dissolution or modification order shall also be attested, forwarded forthwith to the primary law<\/span>-enforcement agency responsible for service and entry of protective orders<\/span>, and upon receipt of the order by the primary law<\/span>-enforcement agency, the agency shall forthwith verify and enter any modification as necessary to the identifying information and other appropriate information required by the Department of State Police into the Virginia Criminal Information Network as described above and the order shall be served forthwith and due return made to the court<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Except as otherwise provided, a violation of a protective order<\/span> issued under this section shall constitute contempt of court<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> The court may assess costs and attorney fees against either party<\/span> regardless of whether an order of protection has been issued as a result of a full hearing<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

G.<\/span> Any judgment<\/span>, order or decree<\/span>, whether permanent or temporary, issued by a court of appropriate jurisdiction<\/span> in another state, the United States or any of its territories, possessions<\/span> or Commonwealths, the District of Columbia or by any tribal court of appropriate jurisdiction<\/span> for the purpose of preventing violent or threatening acts or harassment against or contact or communication with or physical proximity to another person, including any of the conditions specified in subsection A, shall be accorded full faith and credit and enforced in the Commonwealth as if it were an order of the Commonwealth, provided reasonable notice and opportunity to be heard were given by the issuing jurisdiction<\/span> to the person against whom the order is sought to be enforced sufficient to protect such person’s due process<\/span> rights and consistent with federal law<\/span>. A person entitled to protection under such a foreign order may file the order in any appropriate district court by filing with the court, an attested or exemplified copy<\/span> of the order. Upon such a filing, the clerk shall forthwith forward an attested copy<\/span> of the order to the primary law<\/span>-enforcement agency responsible for service and entry of protective orders<\/span> which shall, upon receipt, enter the name of the person subject to the order and other appropriate information required by the Department of State Police into the Virginia Criminal Information Network established and maintained by the Department pursuant to Chapter 2 (§ 52-12<\/a> et seq.) of Title 52. Where practical, the court may transfer information electronically to the Virginia Criminal Information Network.\n\t\t\tUpon inquiry by any law<\/span>-enforcement agency of the Commonwealth, the clerk shall make a copy<\/span> available of any foreign order filed with that court. A law<\/span>-enforcement officer may, in the performance of his duties, rely upon a copy<\/span> of a foreign protective order<\/span> or other suitable evidence<\/span> which has been provided to him by any source and may also rely upon the statement of any person protected by the order that the order remains in effect. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

H.<\/span> Either party<\/span> may at any time file a written motion<\/span> with the court requesting a hearing<\/span> to dissolve or modify the order. Proceedings to modify or dissolve a protective order<\/span> shall be given precedence on the docket<\/span> of the court. Upon petitioner’s motion<\/span> to dissolve the protective order<\/span>, a dissolution order may be issued ex parte<\/span> by the court with or without a hearing<\/span>. If an ex parte<\/span> hearing<\/span> is held, it shall be heard by the court as soon as practicable. If a dissolution order is issued ex parte<\/span>, the court shall serve a copy<\/span> of such dissolution order on respondent in conformity with §§ 8.01-286.1<\/a> and 8.01-296<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

I.<\/span> Neither a law<\/span>-enforcement agency, the attorney for the Commonwealth, a court nor the clerk’s office, nor any employee of them, may disclose, except among themselves, the residential address, telephone number, or place of employment of the person protected by the order or that of the family of such person, except to the extent that disclosure is (i) required by law<\/span> or the Rules of the Supreme Court, (ii) necessary for law<\/span>-enforcement purposes, or (iii) permitted by the court for good cause. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

J.<\/span> No fees shall be charged for filing or serving petitions<\/span> pursuant to this section. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

K.<\/span> As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Copy<\/span>” includes a facsimile copy<\/span>.\n\t\t\t“Protective order<\/span>” includes an initial, modified or extended protective order<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

L.<\/span> Upon issuance of a protective order<\/span>, the clerk of the court shall make available to the petitioner information that is published by the Department of Criminal Justice Services for victims of domestic violence or for petitioners in protective order<\/span> cases. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

M.<\/span> An appeal<\/span> of a final protective order<\/span> issued by a circuit<\/span> court pursuant to this section shall be given expedited review by the Court of Appeals<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

N.<\/span> The respondent shall be required to notify the court in writing within seven days of any change of residence while the protective order<\/span> is in effect, provided that the respondent has been served a copy<\/span> of such order in accordance with the provisions of this section. A violation of this subsection shall be punishable by contempt. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPROTECTIVE ORDER (\u00a7 19.2-152.10)\n\nA. The court may issue a protective order pursuant to this chapter to protect\nthe health and safety of the petitioner and family or household members of a\npetitioner upon (i) the issuance of a petition or warrant for, or a conviction\nof, any criminal offense resulting from the commission of an act of violence,\nforce, or threat or (ii) a hearing held pursuant to subsection D of \u00a7\n19.2-152.9. A protective order issued under this section may include any one or\nmore of the following conditions to be imposed on the respondent:\n\n 1. Prohibiting acts of violence, force, or threat or criminal offenses that\n may result in injury to person or property;\n\n 2. Prohibiting such contacts by the respondent with the petitioner or family\n or household members of the petitioner as the court deems necessary for the\n health or safety of such persons;\n\n 3. Any other relief necessary to prevent (i) acts of violence, force, or\n threat, (ii) criminal offenses that may result in injury to person or\n property, or (iii) communication or other contact of any kind by the\n respondent; and\n\n 4. Granting the petitioner the possession of any companion animal as defined\n in § 3.2-6500 if such petitioner meets the definition of owner in §\n 3.2-6500.\n \t\t\t\tIn addition, if the respondent is a juvenile, the court may, upon its own\n motion or upon the motion of the attorney or guardian ad litem representing\n the respondent, enter an order requiring the local board of social services to\n provide services to the child and family.\n\nB. 1. Except as provided in subsection C, the protective order may be issued for\na specified period of time up to a maximum of two years. The protective order\nshall expire at 11:59 p.m. on the last day specified or at 11:59 p.m. on the\nlast day of the two-year period if no date is specified. Prior to the expiration\nof the protective order, a petitioner may file a written motion requesting a\nhearing to extend the order. Proceedings to extend a protective order shall be\ngiven precedence on the docket of the court. A written motion requesting a\nhearing to extend the protective order shall be served as soon as possible on\nthe respondent.\n\t\t\tThe court may extend the protective order for a period not longer than two\nyears to protect the health and safety of the petitioner or persons who are\nfamily or household members of the petitioner at the time the request for an\nextension is made. The extension of the protective order shall expire at 11:59\np.m. on the last day specified or at 11:59 p.m. on the last day of the two-year\nperiod if no date is specified. Nothing herein shall limit the number of\nextensions that may be requested or issued.\n\n 2. Upon the filing of a written motion requesting a hearing to extend the\n protective order, the court may issue an ex parte protective order pursuant to\n § 19.2-152.9 until the extension hearing. The ex parte preliminary\n protective order shall specify a date for the extension hearing, which shall\n be held within 15 days of the issuance of the ex parte preliminary protective\n order and may be held after the expiration of the protective order. If the\n respondent fails to appear at the extension hearing because the respondent was\n not personally served, the court shall schedule a new date for the extension\n hearing and may extend the ex parte protective order until such new date. The\n extended ex parte protective order shall be served as soon as possible on the\n respondent. If the respondent was personally served, where the petitioner\n shows by clear and convincing evidence that a continuance is necessary to meet\n the ends of justice or the respondent shows good cause, the court may continue\n the extension hearing and such ex parte protective order shall remain in\n effect until the extension hearing.\n\nC. Upon conviction for an act of violence as defined in § 19.2-297.1 and\nupon the request of the victim or of the attorney for the Commonwealth on behalf\nof the victim, the court may issue a protective order to the victim pursuant to\nthis chapter to protect the health and safety of the victim. The protective\norder may be issued for any reasonable period of time, including up to the\nlifetime of the defendant, that the court deems necessary to protect the health\nand safety of the victim. The protective order shall expire at 11:59 p.m. on the\nlast day specified in the protective order, if any. Upon a conviction for\nviolation of a protective order issued pursuant to this subsection, the court\nthat issued the original protective order may extend the protective order as the\ncourt deems necessary to protect the health and safety of the victim. The\nextension of the protective order shall expire at 11:59 p.m. on the last day\nspecified, if any. Nothing herein shall limit the number of extensions that may\nbe issued.\n\nD. A copy of the protective order shall be served on the respondent and provided\nto the petitioner as soon as possible. The court, including a circuit court if\nthe circuit court issued the order, shall forthwith, but in all cases no later\nthan the end of the business day on which the order was issued, enter and\ntransfer electronically to the Virginia Criminal Information Network the\nrespondent’s identifying information and the name, date of birth, sex, and\nrace of each protected person provided to the court and shall forthwith forward\nthe attested copy of the protective order and containing any such identifying\ninformation to the primary law-enforcement agency responsible for service and\nentry of protective orders. Upon receipt of the order by the primary\nlaw-enforcement agency, the agency shall forthwith verify and enter any\nmodification as necessary to the identifying information and other appropriate\ninformation required by the Department of State Police into the Virginia\nCriminal Information Network established and maintained by the Department\npursuant to Chapter 2 (§ 52-12 et seq.) of Title 52 and the order shall be\nserved forthwith upon the respondent and due return made to the court. Upon\nservice, the agency making service shall enter the date and time of service and\nother appropriate information required into the Virginia Criminal Information\nNetwork and make due return to the court. If the order is later dissolved or\nmodified, a copy of the dissolution or modification order shall also be\nattested, forwarded forthwith to the primary law-enforcement agency responsible\nfor service and entry of protective orders, and upon receipt of the order by the\nprimary law-enforcement agency, the agency shall forthwith verify and enter any\nmodification as necessary to the identifying information and other appropriate\ninformation required by the Department of State Police into the Virginia\nCriminal Information Network as described above and the order shall be served\nforthwith and due return made to the court.\n\nE. Except as otherwise provided, a violation of a protective order issued under\nthis section shall constitute contempt of court.\n\nF. The court may assess costs and attorney fees against either party regardless\nof whether an order of protection has been issued as a result of a full hearing.\n\nG. Any judgment, order or decree, whether permanent or temporary, issued by a\ncourt of appropriate jurisdiction in another state, the United States or any of\nits territories, possessions or Commonwealths, the District of Columbia or by\nany tribal court of appropriate jurisdiction for the purpose of preventing\nviolent or threatening acts or harassment against or contact or communication\nwith or physical proximity to another person, including any of the conditions\nspecified in subsection A, shall be accorded full faith and credit and enforced\nin the Commonwealth as if it were an order of the Commonwealth, provided\nreasonable notice and opportunity to be heard were given by the issuing\njurisdiction to the person against whom the order is sought to be enforced\nsufficient to protect such person’s due process rights and consistent with\nfederal law. A person entitled to protection under such a foreign order may file\nthe order in any appropriate district court by filing with the court, an\nattested or exemplified copy of the order. Upon such a filing, the clerk shall\nforthwith forward an attested copy of the order to the primary law-enforcement\nagency responsible for service and entry of protective orders which shall, upon\nreceipt, enter the name of the person subject to the order and other appropriate\ninformation required by the Department of State Police into the Virginia\nCriminal Information Network established and maintained by the Department\npursuant to Chapter 2 (§ 52-12 et seq.) of Title 52. Where practical, the\ncourt may transfer information electronically to the Virginia Criminal\nInformation Network.\n\t\t\tUpon inquiry by any law-enforcement agency of the Commonwealth, the clerk\nshall make a copy available of any foreign order filed with that court. A\nlaw-enforcement officer may, in the performance of his duties, rely upon a copy\nof a foreign protective order or other suitable evidence which has been provided\nto him by any source and may also rely upon the statement of any person\nprotected by the order that the order remains in effect.\n\nH. Either party may at any time file a written motion with the court requesting\na hearing to dissolve or modify the order. Proceedings to modify or dissolve a\nprotective order shall be given precedence on the docket of the court. Upon\npetitioner’s motion to dissolve the protective order, a dissolution order\nmay be issued ex parte by the court with or without a hearing. If an ex parte\nhearing is held, it shall be heard by the court as soon as practicable. If a\ndissolution order is issued ex parte, the court shall serve a copy of such\ndissolution order on respondent in conformity with §§ 8.01-286.1 and\n8.01-296.\n\nI. Neither a law-enforcement agency, the attorney for the Commonwealth, a court\nnor the clerk’s office, nor any employee of them, may disclose, except\namong themselves, the residential address, telephone number, or place of\nemployment of the person protected by the order or that of the family of such\nperson, except to the extent that disclosure is (i) required by law or the Rules\nof the Supreme Court, (ii) necessary for law-enforcement purposes, or (iii)\npermitted by the court for good cause.\n\nJ. No fees shall be charged for filing or serving petitions pursuant to this\nsection.\n\nK. As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Copy” includes a facsimile copy.\n\t\t\t“Protective order” includes an initial, modified or extended\nprotective order.\n\nL. Upon issuance of a protective order, the clerk of the court shall make\navailable to the petitioner information that is published by the Department of\nCriminal Justice Services for victims of domestic violence or for petitioners in\nprotective order cases.\n\nM. An appeal of a final protective order issued by a circuit court pursuant to\nthis section shall be given expedited review by the Court of Appeals.\n\nN. The respondent shall be required to notify the court in writing within seven\ndays of any change of residence while the protective order is in effect,\nprovided that the respondent has been served a copy of such order in accordance\nwith the provisions of this section. A violation of this subsection shall be\npunishable by contempt.\n\nHISTORY: 1997, c. 831; 1998, cc. 569, 684; 1999, c. 371; 2002, cc. 507, 810,\n818; 2003, c. 730; 2008, cc. 73, 246; 2009, cc. 341, 732; 2010, cc. 425, 468;\n2011, cc. 445, 480; 2012, cc. 152, 261; 2014, c. 346; 2018, c. 652; 2020, cc.\n137, 1005; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 489; 2023, cc. 620, 621, 742; 2024, c. 594;\n2025, c. 26.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}