Restraining Orders
Protect Yourself
No Contact or Protective Orders are orders that are granted to protect those persons
who have been victims of domestic abuse. The orders can be granted through criminal
or civil court. The types of orders that are issued are as follows:
No Contact Orders
These orders are entered in criminal court when a person has been arrested on a
charge of Domestic Abuse Assault or some other criminal offense. Upon the County
Attorney’s request, an order may be entered at the initial appearance that the arrested
person not have any contact with the victim. The order could prohibit in-person,
written, or telephonic contact. The prohibition of in-person contact would include
anyplace where the victim may be.
Persons who are convicted of violating No Contact Orders that are entered pursuant
to a Domestic Abuse Assault charge, could be sentenced up to six months in jail.
A minimum sentence of seven days in jail must be imposed upon any finding by the
judge that a person violated the order.
Protective Orders
Protective Orders are entered in civil court upon the application of a victim of
domestic abuse due to an assault or threat of violence. The Protective Order may
be requested without the representation of an attorney.
To qualify for the Order the following must exist involving the victim and perpetrator
of the assault:
- Married or divorced spouses
- Have a child together
- Reside together within one year prior to the assault
- Reside together at the time of the assault
Applications may be obtained from the Clerk of Court in Room 115 of the Polk County
Courthouse, 5th and Mulberry in Des Moines.
If you have questions regarding the qualifications in obtaining the order you may
call the Civil Court Advocate of the Family Violence Center at (515) 243-6147.