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Legal Information: Rhode Island

Restraining Orders

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Laws current as of July 19, 2024

Step 3: A judge will review your application.

After you fill out the forms, give them to the court clerk. The clerk will forward your application to a judge. The judge may wish to ask you questions as s/he reviews your written answers. Based on what you write and say, the judge may give you an immediate temporary order if s/he believes you or your child is at risk for immediate and severe injury, damage, or loss. The judge will then set a date for a hearing for the final order. You will be given papers that state the hearing date and time. It should be within 21 days.1

If you get a temporary order, keep a copy of it with you at all times.

1 R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 8-8.1-4(a)(2); 15-15-4(a)(2)

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