Protective Orders

A protective order is a civil court order designed to protect a victim of domestic abuse, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault by legally restricting an abuser's contact with and proximity to the protected person. In Louisiana, the person seeking protection is called the "petitioner," and the person the order is sought against is the "defendant." There is no filing fee, and petitioners are not required to have an attorney to file a petition or to appear at the hearing. Once granted, a protective order is entered into the Louisiana Protective Order Registry, allowing it to be recognized and enforced by law enforcement statewide.