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If you file a restraining order, a judge will decide how you will be protected. She bases this on her understanding of the situation. Abusers or stalkers can be ordered to avoid any contact with you and your children. This is in person, by phone, by email or any other medium. Abusers or stalkers can also be ordered not to come within a certain distance of you and your children. This distance is typically 100 yards (91.4 m), but it can be extended well beyond that.  If you live with the abuser, they can be ordered to move out. The judge can order that a police escort be there during any needed contact with the abuser. This can be when they return to a shared living space to collect their things. There are few requirements that must be fulfilled in order to be eligible for a restraining order. You must be an adult or a minor of a certain age. This age varies by state. You need to show a judge that the person you want the restraining order against is a threat to your physical or mental health. Parents can file restraining orders for minors. Any minor who legally lives on their own can receive a restraining order. The youngest age you can be granted a restraining order is different from state to state. In most states, the minimum age is somewhere between 14 and 18. In California, you can get one by the age of 12. There are many court orders that are commonly called restraining orders. They are all very different. An ex parte restraining order is also known as an emergency restraining order or emergency protective order. It is a temporary order that is issued by the court without the named abuser or stalker there to defend themselves. If you think that someone poses an immediate threat, you can obtain an ex parte restraining order to keep them away.  This order can be signed the same day you apply. This means you will be protected before the date of your hearing. Another hearing is necessary to maintain the restraining order. At this hearing, the accused can defend themselves. There are different types of restraining orders that are used by various states. The difference typically depends on which court files the order. It will also vary depending on the person who you are filing the order against. You can file against someone to whom you are related or have a relationship. This can be a spouse, domestic partner, boyfriend, girlfriend, an ex, or the father or mother of one of your children. You can also file an order against a stranger. Make sure you check your state laws to see what kind of orders you can get and with which court you need to file.  In California, the Civil Court gives two types of orders, the Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (DVROs) and the Civil Harassment Orders (CHOs). The DVROs are filed against someone you have a relationship with. CHOs are filed against a person you do not know.  In New York state, you can get a civil Order of Protection from civil or family court. You can also get a criminal Order of Protection from the criminal courts. The main difference is that you can only get a criminal order the person you are filing against is charged with a crime. The district attorney can must get the order for you. The civil Order of Protection is filed against someone you know. In Georgia, there are also criminal and civil Protective Orders. Family Protective Orders are used specifically for people with whom you have a relationship. This type of order is obtained in family or civil court. Criminal Protective Orders are used to stop those you don't know. This type of order is obtained through the criminal courts.

Summary:
Understand the protections. Know the requirements. Get the ex parte restraining order. Investigate the orders in your state.