How to Find Out About an Old Restraining Order
Restraining orders are legal documents that state a specific person is not to come within a certain amount of feet from the person it is protecting. It also states that the person is not allowed to have any form of contact via telephone, email or third-party message. Restraining orders do carry an expiration date and can become void in a variety of situations. If the restraining order has been lost, it is possible to find out the specifics of the order through court records.
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Instructions
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Call the county courthouse where the order was processed. Employees can notify you of the department that houses this information. It is usually held with the state attorney's office, but also may be filed with the county courthouse. The clerk can provide a copy of the order to either party involved in the case. A fee may be charged to reprint the order.
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Ask the representative that answers the phone if she can discuss the rules of the order with you. Although in some states it is not possible to discuss the case without formal presentation of identification. You may be asked to speak with her in person and provide a copy of a state ID card or other photo identification.
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Visit the county courthouse and ask the clerk to look up your record in both the active and expired files. If an order has expired, it is possible that the order may have been extended. Do not contact the other party involved in the order, if it has been extended this will be breaking the order and subject to prosecution.
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Tips & Warnings
Contact local authorities if you feel the restraining order has been violated. They will assist you despite the expiration date. If it has expired they can assist you in obtaining a current order.
