Which statement best describes an ex parte protective order?

• A. It requires both parties to attend a hearing before issuance.
• B. It becomes final automatically after 24 hours.
• C. It can be issued quickly without the other party’s presence.
• D. It cannot be appealed.

Answer: (C)

Ex parte protective orders are emergency orders issued by a court to protect someone from harm without giving the person they protect a chance to be heard first. The key idea is speed and lack of the other party’s presence during the initial decision, so immediate protection can be provided when there’s credible risk. After such an order is issued, there’s usually a follow-up hearing where both sides can be heard to decide whether the protection continues, is modified, or ends. It can be challenged or appealed through the court system. The other statements don’t fit because requiring both parties to attend before issuance contradicts the ex parte nature, and these orders are not automatically final after a fixed short period nor inherently unappealable.