What is a protective order and what behaviors does it typically prohibit?

• A. A court order that allows contact between all parties.
• B. A temporary order that allows arrest without probable cause.
• C. A court order designed to protect a protected person from threats or contact; prohibits contact, proximity, and harassment.
• D. A court order granting permission to carry a weapon.

Answer: (C)

Protective orders are court orders issued to keep a person safe from threats or contact by another individual. They set clear boundaries to protect a vulnerable person, typically including rules that the respondent must not communicate with or contact the protected person, must stay away from the protected person’s home or workplace (proximity), and must refrain from harassment or threats. This exactly matches the description of a court order designed to protect a protected person from threats or contact and listing prohibitions on contact, proximity, and harassment.

Other options describe situations that don’t fit a protective order: one suggests contact is allowed, which defeats protection; another speaks to arrest without probable cause, which isn’t how protective orders operate; a different option talks about permissions to carry a weapon, which is unrelated to protection from threats.