A restraining order in Connecticut is a civil court order that requires one person to stay away from and stop contacting another. They protect victims of abuse, stalking, or threats. You can ask the Superior Court for one when a family or household member puts your safety at risk, often with help from Wolf & Shore Law Group.
How Does A Restraining Order Work?
Restraining orders in Connecticut start with an application and a sworn statement describing what happened, filed at your local Superior Court. If a judge sees an immediate and present danger, the court can grant an emergency order on its own before the other person ever appears.
After that, the court schedules a hearing where both sides can speak before a longer order is issued. A judge can order the other person to do or avoid several things, such as:
- Staying away from your home and work
- Stopping all calls, texts, and contact
- Avoiding your children’s school
- Surrendering firearms and ammunition
- Leaving a shared residence
An order under this process can last up to one year, and a judge can extend it on request. The protections cover you and, when needed, your children, giving your household room to feel safe and steady at home again.
Who Qualifies For An Order Of Protection?
Connecticut limits this kind of restraining order to people harmed by a family or household member, a group the law defines broadly. You may qualify if the person who harmed you falls into a relationship like:
- A current or former spouse
- A partner you live with or once did
- The other parent of your child
- Someone you are or were dating
- A relative by blood or marriage
Connecticut courts grant these orders under Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-15 when you show a continuous threat of physical harm, stalking, or a pattern of threatening behavior. If the person who hurt you is not a family or household member, such as a stranger or coworker, you would seek a civil protection order instead, since a § 46b-15 restraining order does not reach those relationships.
What Happens When A Restraining Order Is Violated In Connecticut?
Violating a restraining order is a separate criminal offense, not merely a private dispute between the parties. Police can make an arrest, and prosecutors may file new charges that carry potential jail or prison time, including felony charges when the conduct involves violence, threats, or repeated violations.
If you already have a restraining order and the other person violates it, document the incident and report it to the police as soon as possible. Records of calls, messages, and witnesses can provide clear evidence, helping the court respond quickly and, if necessary, impose stronger protections.
Find Steady Support When Your Safety Is On The Line
Facing someone who has threatened you is frightening, and you do not have to handle the court process alone. Our all-female practice listens without judgment and guides you through every step in court.
For Connecticut restraining order lawyers who treat you with respect, Wolf & Shore Law Group serves New Haven County, Hartford County, and Middlesex County. Call (203) 745-3151 to book your consultation and take back your peace of mind.
