How can a family violence victim get a protective order?
A protective order is a civil court order issued to prevent continuing acts of family violence. The order can prohibit an offender from: (1) committing further acts of family violence; (2) harassing or threatening the victim (directly or indirectly); and (3) going to or near a school or day-care center attended by a child protected by the order. Victims can apply for a protective order through the district or county attorney, a private attorney or through a legal aid service program. The application must be filed in the county in which the victim or the offender lives. There are no minimum time limits to establish residency, and protective orders are available in every county in Texas. These potential resources may also assist victims: • For more information about the protective order process, see the Texas Attorney General’s website at www.oag.state.tx.us/AG_Publications/pdfs/domeviolence.pdf • For free protective order forms and other information, see www.TexasLawHelp.org. • For info
