A restraining order, also called a protection or protective order, is a legally binding order issued by a judge that restrains a person's actions regarding another person. A domestic violence restraining order typically prohibits a person from contacting, attempting to contact, harassing, threatening or harming another person. Harm can refer to physical, emotional and psychological harm.
What constitutes harassment?
Physical threats, off-color jokes at the water cooler, unwelcome sexual advances -- all of this conduct may be considered harassment under certain conditions. The law provides the most protection for citizens at the state level, which means harassment laws vary depending on your location. Here's a look at some of the behaviors that the law recognizes as harassment.
