Restraining Orders

The hearing to determine whether or not the TRO will be converted to a final order of protection is known as an “order to show cause” (“OSC”) hearing. It will typically be scheduled within ten days of the date your TRO was granted.¹

As the petitioner requesting an order of protection, you must prove that the abuser has committed one or more acts of domestic or family violence as defined by the law. If you do not go to the hearing, your TRO will expire. If the abuser does not show up for the hearing, the judge may choose to grant you an order of protection or reschedule the hearing. If the hearing is rescheduled, the judge may issue a bench warrant for the police to bring the abuser to court.

See our At the Hearing section for ways you can show the judge that you were abused. You can learn more about the court system in our Preparing for Court – By Yourself section. If you would like to be represented by an attorney at the hearing, you can look for one on our CNMI Finding a Lawyer page. 

¹ 8 CMC § 1917(a)