how to file a restraining order in nc without an attorney

by Mr. Joel Kerluke 3 min read

Go to the courthouse and get the forms you need. You can find a list of county courthouses on N.C. Administrative Office of the Court’s website. Go to the office of the clerk of civil court or the magistrate’s office. Tell them you need to file for a restraining order, protective order, DVPO or Civil No-Contact Order.

Full Answer

How do you file a restraining order in North Carolina?

Go to the courthouse and get the forms you need. You can find a list of county courthouses on N.C. Administrative Office of the Court’s website. Go to the office of the clerk of civil court or the magistrate’s office. Tell them you need to file for a restraining order, protective order, DVPO or Civil No-Contact Order.

How do you file a restraining order?

Feb 14, 2022 · Step 1: Go to the courthouse to get and file the necessary forms. Step 2: You can ask for an ex parte temporary order for immediate protection. Step 3: Take the forms to the sheriff's department. Step 4: Preparing for the domestic violence protective order hearing. Step 5: Attend the hearing. After the hearing.

How to file a restraining order in North Carolina?

If you have the financial means to hire an attorney, the NC Bar Association offers a Lawyer Referral Service. You can learn more about this service on their website or call the referral service number at 1-800-662-7660. Finally, you have the right to file for a Civil No-Contact Order yourself, without an attorney.

What are the requirements for a restraining order?

Mar 26, 2020 · In North Carolina, there are two types of restraining orders available to victims of domestic violence and stalking: domestic violence protective orders and civil no-contact orders. Here, we discuss the differences between the two types of orders, what happens when a restraining order is filed against you, and how an experienced North Carolina ...

What happens if you ask for a restraining order in North Carolina?

If you ask the court for a restraining order, you are requesting legal protection from a person, but not asking that they be sent to jail for a crime. If the person violates the restraining order, however, they may be prosecuted as a result. There are a number of steps you must go through in order to file a restraining order in North Carolina.

What is a restraining order?

A restraining order is a temporary court order issued to protect an individual from carrying out a particular action. This “action” is usually approaching or contacting the person who files the restraining order. If the case involves domestic abuse, it can also keep a person from purchasing a firearm, or living within a specific residence.

What is an ex parte order?

Also known as an ex parte, this allows you to enact the restraining order prior to an official hearing. It’s an emergency order that immediately takes effect, and is an excellent way to ensure protection for yourself and/or your children. It’s important to keep this order with you at all times.

How long does a restraining order last?

A restraining order lasts one year from the date it’s granted. If you need an extension, you can get one for up to two years by repeating all these steps.

Who serves summons?

The sheriff is the one who serves the summons, so you don’t need to worry about contacting your abuser yourself. This can be a difficult and potentially dangerous job, and you will not be asked to risk your own safety during this process. The court is there to protect you, not put you in harm’s way. 4.

What is domestic violence in North Carolina?

Domestic violence in North Carolina is when someone you have had a “ personal relationship ” with does any of the following to you or your minor child: attempts to cause bodily injury, or intentionally causes bodily injury; places you or a member of your family or household in fear of imminent serious bodily injury;

When can an ex parte order be issued?

A judge may issue an ex parte order the same day you file your complaint for a domestic violence protective order (without the abuser present) if s/he believes that there is a serious and immediate danger to you or your child.

What does it mean when an abuser visits you?

Perhaps the abuser regularly travels to your state to visit you, for business, to see extended family, or the abuser lived in your state and recently fled. One of the acts of abuse “happened” in your state.

What does "give you possession of your pet" mean?

Give you possession of your pet; Give you temporary custody of a minor child, order the abuser to pay temporary child support, and establish temporary visitation (custody, child support, and visitation only apply if the abuser is the parent of the child); Order your spouse to pay temporary spousal support;

Can a judge grant an order against an out-of-state abuser?

This means that the court may not be able to grant an order against him/her.

Can you ask a judge to order the abuser not to hurt the pet?

If there is a pet in your household (owned by you, your child, or the abuser) and you have concerns for your pet’s safety you can ask a judge to order the abuser not to hurt the pet as part of your 50B order.

How is a restraining order different from a general restraining order?

It is different from a general restraining order because it allows a judge to order more specific forms of protection for a victim. However, it gives less protection than a Domestic Violence Protective Order (DVPO) because law enforcement has less ability to enforce it than they do a DVPO.

How long can a judge order a civil no contact order?

However, the judge can order the Civil No-Contact Order for less than a year (for example, 6 months) if the judge feels for some reason that the Civil No-Contact Order is not needed for an entire year.

What is a 50C order?

No Contact Order – 50C. A Civil No-Contact Order (sometimes commonly referred to as a “50C order”) is a restraining order that is designed specifically for victims of sexual assault or stalking who do NOT have a “personal relationship” with the offender. It is different from a general restraining order because it allows a judge to order more ...

What is unlawful conduct?

Unlawful conduct under the statute is defined as “the commission of one or more of the following acts by a person 16 years of age or older upon a person, but does not include acts of self-defense or defense of others.”. The acts included are nonconsensual sexual conduct, even if there was only one incident, and stalking.

What are the types of relief?

The most common types of relief include: Ordering the defendant not to visit, assault, molest, or otherwise interfere with you. Ordering the defendant to cease stalking you, including at your workplace. Ordering the defendant to cease harassing you. Ordering the defendant not to abuse or injure you.

How long can a civil contact order be renewed?

The Civil No-Contact Order can be renewed for up to 1 year at a time. If you want to renew your Civil No-Contact Order, it is very important that you file the motion to renew it BEFORE your current Civil No-Contact Order expires.

Can you be charged for violating a civil no contact order?

Although there is not a specific crime for “Violation of a Civil No-Contact Order,” law enforcement can absolutely charge an offender with an appropriate crime such as communicating threats, harassing phone calls, or stalking if the offender’s behavior violates those laws.

What are the two types of restraining orders in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, there are two types of restraining orders available to victims of domestic violence and stalking: domestic violence protective orders and civil no-contact orders.

What happens if you get a restraining order?

The consequences of having a restraining order filed against you can extend beyond simply being ordered to stay away from the complainant. It could result in the loss of your home (if you lived with the victim), influence child custody decisions, and prevent you from purchasing a gun.

What is the difference between stalking and non-consensual sexual conduct?

The victim must have experienced “unlawful conduct,” which is non-consensual sexual conduct or stalking. Nonconsensual sexual conduct only has to take place one time, whereas stalking is harassment of another person more than one time.

How long does a temporary restraining order last?

First, the court will conduct an ex-parte hearing without the defendant present. If granted, a temporary restraining order will usually last no more than ten days. Final Restraining Orders.

How long does a domestic violence protective order last?

Both a final domestic violence protective order and a permanent civil no-contact order generally last up to one year but can be extended.

Who must file a 50C?

those with a child in common. current household members. anyone in a dating relationship with someone of the opposite sex. Those who do not fall into one of the personal relationship categories must file a 50C.

What to do after receiving a letter of motion?

After receiving the letter/motion, the court should set the matter for a hearing before the assigned judge or magistrate, which you will have to attend.

What is a motion letter?

A motion is sometimes described to people who do not have an attorney representing them as a “letter to the judge.”. Essentially, what you should include in the letter/motion is what you respectfully request that the court do, i.e., remove the protection order, and why it would be right for the court do what you request, i.e., ...