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Protective Orders
What is a Protective Order?
A protective order is a court order that orders one person to stop harming another person. In Texas, there are protective orders based on family violence, sexual assault and stalking. A protective order can place restrictions on the abuser, such as ordering the abuser to stay away from you or stop contacting you. If the abuser violates the protective order he or she can be arrested. If you and the abuser have children, a protective order can include orders for the safety and financial support of your children.Read more about protective orders, sometimes referred to as restraining orders, here: http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?id=98&state_code=TX
How Can I Get a Protective Order?
You may ask the court for a protective order by filing an application for protective order in the county where you or the abuser lives. It does not cost anything to ask for a protective order.Your district or county attorney may be able to help you ask the court for a protective order. For help in Travis County, call the County Attorney’s Office at (512) 854-9415 or go to their office on the 4th floor of the Granger Building, 314 West 11th Street, Austin Texas 78701. There is no fee for this service.
You may also hire a private attorney to help you get a protective order, get help through a legal aid office, or represent yourself.
If you decide to represent yourself, you may use the Protective Order Kit, which includes instructions and Do-it-Yourself forms approved by the Texas Supreme Court.
Click here for the printable Protective Order Kit.
Click here for the interactive Protective Order kit.
Helpful Resources
Travis County Attorney’s Office,
Website: www.co.travis.tx.us/county_attorney/victim_witness/obtaining_po.asp
Phone: (512) 854-9415
Help getting a protective order.
Safeplace,
Website:www.safeplace.org
24-Hour Hotline: 512-267-SAFE or 927-9616 TTY
Emergency shelter, counseling and other support for survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault.
Texas Advocacy Project
Website: www.texasadvocacyproject.org,
Hotlines: Family Violence Legal Line 1-800-374-HOPE
Sexual Assault Legal Hotline 1-888-296-SAFE
Family Law Hotline 1-800-777-FAIR
Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid
Website:www.trla.org/office/austin
Phone: 512-374-2700 or 1-800-369-9270
Legal representation for low-income people in family law and other civil cases.
Austin Office serves Travis, Williamson, Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays, Llano and Mason Counties.
Lawyer Referral Service of Central Texas,
Website: www.austinlrs.com
Phone: 512-472-8303
Callers referred to private attorneys. Reduced fee program for low-income callers.
TexasLawHelp.org - Free legal forms and information.