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Legal Information: Rhode Island

Restraining Orders

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Laws current as of July 19, 2024

Do I have to register my protection order in Rhode Island in order to get it enforced?

You do not need to register a protective order from another state to have it enforced. The local police must enforce it, whether or not it’s registered. If it is not registered, you’ll need to show the officer a copy and give a written statement that it’s still in effect.1

However, registering your order in Rhode Island can make it easier for local law enforcement to find and confirm its validity. This way, even if you’re not carrying a copy of the order, it can still be enforced without delay. Registered orders are stored in RONCO, the Rhode Island Restraining Order and No Contact Order Registry, which police can access when they arrive.2

1 R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 12-29-1.1(a); 15-15.1-4(a), (d)
2 R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-29-1.1(b)

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