A court order designed to protect individuals from specific unwanted behaviors. It provides legal recourse for those experiencing acts such as harassment, stalking, or threats from another party. For example, if an individual consistently sends threatening messages to a neighbor, the recipient can petition the court for this type of protective order.
Such decrees are important as they offer a formalized mechanism for addressing concerning behavior before it escalates into physical harm. The existence of this legal tool can deter unwanted contact and provides a documented record should the prohibited behavior continue. Historically, these provisions filled a gap in legal protections by addressing non-violent, but still disruptive and concerning, interactions.