Protective Order
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Minnesota Day One statewide crisis line: Call 866-223-1111 or text 612-399-9995.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 800-799-SAFE (7233), text START to 88788, or visit thehotline.org.
Clear Guidance About Minnesota Restraining Orders
People often search for a “protective order” or “restraining order” without knowing the name of the Minnesota remedy that fits their circumstances. Minnesota’s principal civil options are an Order for Protection, commonly called an OFP, and a Harassment Restraining Order, commonly called an HRO.
The correct path depends on more than the parties’ relationship. The alleged conduct must satisfy the governing statute, and the requested relief must be available under that process.
At Lauren Pevehouse Law, we represent people seeking protection and people who have been served with an OFP or HRO petition or order. We serve St. Paul, Minneapolis, Chisago County, Washington County, and surrounding Twin Cities communities.
Call 651-800-1030 or email lauren@laurenpevehouselaw.com to request a confidential consultation. If contacting a law office could increase risk, use a safer phone or email account when possible.
Minnesota’s Two Main Civil Protective Orders
Order for Protection
An Order for Protection addresses statutory domestic abuse committed by one family or household member against another. Covered relationships include current and former spouses, parents and children, blood relatives, current and former co-residents, people who share a child, certain expectant parents, and people in or formerly in a significant romantic or sexual relationship.
Domestic abuse includes physical harm, bodily injury, assault, fear of imminent physical harm, specified terroristic threats, criminal sexual conduct, sexual extortion, and interference with an emergency call.
An OFP may provide broader safety-related relief, including no contact, exclusion from a residence or workplace, temporary custody and parenting time, temporary support, property protections, pet protections, and firearm restrictions when statutory requirements are met. Some relief requires notice and a hearing.
Learn more on our Minnesota Order for Protection page.
Harassment Restraining Order
A Harassment Restraining Order addresses statutory harassment and does not require a family or household relationship. A respondent may be a neighbor, coworker, acquaintance, former partner, relative, organization, or another person.
Harassment includes specified single incidents, repeated intrusive or unwanted acts, words, or gestures meeting the statutory effect or intent standard, targeted residential picketing, and a defined pattern involving public events.
An HRO may order the respondent to cease or avoid harassment and have no contact with another person. It does not provide the custody, support, or shared-residence relief available through the OFP statute.
Learn more on our Minnesota Harassment Restraining Order page.
Temporary Orders and Hearings
Both statutes permit temporary relief without advance notice when their separate requirements are met.
Ex Parte OFP
An ex parte OFP requires allegations of an immediate and present danger of domestic abuse. Available relief without a hearing focuses on restraining abuse, prohibiting contact, excluding a person from a residence or workplace, continuing available insurance, and protecting pets. Temporary custody, parenting time, and support generally require notice and a hearing.
Temporary HRO
A temporary HRO requires a sufficient sworn petition and reasonable grounds to believe harassment occurred. For the principal statutory category involving assault or intrusive conduct, the petition must also allege an immediate and present danger of harassment.
Hearing Procedures
A hearing is not automatic in every case. The applicable documents may require a hearing, allow either party to request one, or impose a short request deadline.
A respondent served with an ex parte OFP without a scheduled hearing may have only five days after service to request one.
An HRO hearing request generally must be made within 20 days after completed service of the petition.
Other deadlines apply when broader OFP relief is requested or when the court declines requested relief. Read every page immediately. Temporary relief is not guaranteed, and same-day issuance should not be promised.
What Happens if an Order Is Violated?
A person who knows of an OFP or HRO and violates it may face criminal prosecution and contempt. Depending on prior qualifying offenses and the circumstances, the violation may be a misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, or felony.
When the statutory probable-cause and verification requirements are satisfied, Minnesota law directs a peace officer to arrest without a warrant. The exact rule depends on the type and terms of the order.
If you believe an order is being violated and you are in danger, call 911. Preserve messages, call logs, photographs, videos, and witness information only when it is safe to do so.
If You Have Been Served
Follow every term immediately, even if you disagree with the allegations or believe contact was invited. Do not use another person, a new account, or social media to communicate if the order prohibits direct or indirect contact.
After service:
Read the petition, order, and hearing notice carefully;
Record the date and method of service;
Calendar any hearing or request deadline;
Preserve complete records without altering them;
Avoid posting about the petitioner or case; and
Obtain legal advice promptly.
An OFP may affect housing, children, property, pets, firearms, and employment. An HRO may affect communication, access to places or events when covered by the order, work, school, and related proceedings. A violation can lead to arrest and criminal charges.
Areas We Serve
We proudly help individuals and families in St. Paul, Minneapolis, Woodbury, Maplewood, Stillwater, Chisago County, Washington County, and surrounding Twin Cities communities.
How Lauren Pevehouse Law Can Help
We assist petitioners and respondents with:
Determining whether an OFP, HRO, or another remedy fits the facts;
Preparing or responding to sworn petitions;
Requesting or challenging temporary relief;
Organizing digital, documentary, and witness evidence;
Requesting hearings within applicable deadlines;
Representing clients at contested hearings;
Addressing OFP custody, parenting-time, support, property, pet, and firearm issues;
Coordinating protective-order issues with divorce, custody, housing, workplace, school, or criminal matters; and
Seeking or responding to enforcement, modification, extension, or alleged violations.
Representation is subject to conflict checks and the circumstances of the matter.
Talk to a Minnesota Protective Order Attorney
OFP and HRO cases can move quickly and affect safety, housing, children, firearms, communication, employment, and related proceedings. Lauren Pevehouse Law provides calm, careful guidance to people seeking relief and people responding to an order.
We serve clients in St. Paul, Minneapolis, Woodbury, Maplewood, Stillwater, Chisago County, Washington County, and surrounding Twin Cities communities.
Call 651-800-1030 or email lauren@laurenpevehouselaw.com to request a confidential consultation. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 rather than waiting for a return call.