Temporary Restraining Orders

Temporary Restraining Orders in Bridgeport, Connecticut

Legal Guidance for People Seeking or Responding to a Restraining Order in Fairfield County

A restraining order can affect your safety, your home, your children, and your future. Whether you are asking a court for protection or have been served with an order, the process moves quickly, and the first hearing can come within days. At José Antonio Pol & Associates, LLC, we assist clients in Bridgeport and throughout Fairfield County with restraining order matters. Attorney José Antonio Pol handles each matter personally and explains the process in plain language.

The information below is a general overview, not legal advice.

• ● If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
• ● To speak with our office about a restraining order, call (203) 339-0050.

What Is a Temporary Restraining Order in Connecticut?

A restraining order is a court order that tells a person to stay away from or stop certain conduct toward another person. A “temporary” or “ex parte” order is a short-term order a judge may issue quickly, based on the applicant’s sworn statement, before the other person has a chance to respond in court. A hearing follows, where both sides can present their positions.

In Connecticut, “restraining order” can describe several kinds of orders, and it is important to know which one applies:

• ● Family violence restraining orders [CT Gen Stat § 46b-15 (2025)]. These are available to people in certain family or household relationships, including spouses, former spouses, parents, people who live or have lived together, people who have a child together, and people who are or were in a dating relationship. They are generally sought based on physical abuse, threats of physical abuse, stalking, or a pattern of threatening behavior.
• ● Civil protection orders [CT Gen Stat § 46b-16a. (2025)]. These are available to people who have experienced stalking, sexual assault, or sexual abuse, and no particular relationship to the other person is required.
• ● Criminal protective orders [CT Gen Stat § 53a-40e (2025)]. Courts issue these in a criminal case, usually when someone has been arrested. They are separate from the civil orders above.
• ● Civil injunctions. In some non-family disputes, such as those involving property or business matters, a court may issue a temporary order to prevent harm. This requires meeting a different legal standard.

Our firm can help you understand which type applies to your situation.

How Does a Restraining Order Case Work in Connecticut?

While every case is different, a family violence restraining order generally follows these steps:

1. 1. The application. The person seeking protection files an application and a sworn statement in Superior Court describing what happened. There is generally no filing fee for these applications.
2. 2. Ex parte review. A judge reviews the application, often the same day. If the judge finds that the statements show an immediate and present danger of physical abuse, the judge may issue a temporary order before the other person has been heard.
3. 3. A state marshal serves the other person with the order, the application, and notice of the hearing. The order generally does not take effect against the other person until they are served.
4. 4. The hearing. A hearing is generally scheduled within about two weeks of the application. Both sides may appear, present testimony and evidence, and be represented by an attorney.
5. 5. The decision. After the hearing, the judge may issue a longer-term restraining order, decline to issue one, or let the temporary order expire. Orders can include terms such as no contact, staying away from a home, workplace, or school, and, in some cases, surrendering firearms.
6. 6. Extensions and changes. A restraining order can last for a limited period of time and may be extended after a hearing. A party may also ask the court to modify or end an order, depending on the circumstances.

Rules, forms, and time periods vary by type of order and can change, so check the current requirements for your situation.

If You Are Seeking a Restraining Order

If you are afraid for your safety, you may want to:

• ● Call 911 if you are in immediate danger.
• ● Contact a domestic violence advocate. In Greater Bridgeport, the Center for Family Justice provides services for domestic violence survivors. The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) and Connecticut’s statewide hotline, Safe Connect (1-888-774-2900), are available.
• ● Write down what happened. Dates, places, what was said or done, and who saw it can help you describe the facts accurately in your sworn statement.
• ● Keep evidence. Save threatening messages, voicemails, photos, medical records, and police reports.
• Think about safety planning, including where you will stay and how you will be reached.

An attorney can help you understand which type of order may apply, what the court will look at, and how a restraining order may interact with divorce, custody, or housing issues. You can file an application without an attorney, and court-based advocates may be available to help with the forms.

If You Have Been Served with a Restraining Order

Being served with a restraining order can be shocking and confusing, especially when you dispute the allegations. A restraining order can affect where you may live, whether you can see your children, your ability to possess firearms, your employment, and your record. If this happened to you:

• ● Read the order carefully and follow it. Violating an order can lead to arrest, even if you disagree with it or the other person contacts you first.
• ● Do not contact the protected person, directly or through others, unless the order allows it.
• ● Note the hearing date and do not miss it.
• ● Gather information such as messages, calendars, witnesses, and any documents that relate to the allegations.
• ● Do not discuss the case with the other person or post about it online.
• ● Talk to an attorney promptly. Time before the hearing is short.

An attorney can review the allegations, explain the possible outcomes, help you prepare for the hearing, and discuss how the order may affect other matters, including any pending criminal case. See our page on criminal defense for related information.

What Happens If a Restraining Order Is Violated?

Connecticut takes restraining order violations seriously. Depending on the type of order and the circumstances, a violation can lead to arrest and criminal charges, which may include felony charges, as well as contempt of court. A violation can also affect parenting time, housing, and other legal matters. If an order protects you and the other person violates it, you may report the violation to the police.

How Do Restraining Orders Affect Divorce and Custody?

Restraining orders often come up alongside divorce, custody, and parenting time. An order may affect who stays in the home and how parents exchange the children. In turn, family court decisions may consider evidence of family violence. If you are dealing with both issues, we can help you understand how they may overlap. See our divorce attorney page and our child custody and support page.

Frequently Asked Questions About Restraining Orders in Bridgeport, CT

How do I get a restraining order in Connecticut?

You apply to the Superior Court with a sworn statement describing what happened. A judge reviews it, and if the facts show an immediate and present danger, the judge may issue a temporary order, followed by a hearing where both sides may be heard.

How long does a temporary restraining order last?

A temporary (ex parte) order is generally in effect only until the hearing, which is usually scheduled within about two weeks. After the hearing, the court may issue a longer order for a limited period, which may be extended. The length depends on the type of order.

Do I need a lawyer to get or respond to a restraining order?

You have the right to represent yourself, but many people choose to talk to an attorney because the hearing comes quickly and the order can have long-term effects.

What if the allegations against me are false?

You have the right to appear at the hearing, present your side, and have an attorney represent you. An attorney can discuss the allegations, the evidence, and your options.

Can a restraining order be changed or ended?

In some cases, a party may ask the court to modify or terminate an order. Whether this is possible depends on the circumstances and the type of order.

Can I contact the person who protected me or who has an order against me?

If you are the person restrained, you must follow the order’s terms, even if the protected person contacts you first. If you are the protected person, you can talk to an attorney about how the order works in practice.

What should I bring to a consultation?

Bring any court papers, the order and hearing date, messages or documents that relate to the situation, any police reports, and information about related cases, such as divorce, custody, or criminal matters. If you do not have everything, come anyway; we can tell you what to gather.

Why Contact José Antonio Pol & Associates, LLC?

• ● Local focus: Our office is on Broad Street in Bridgeport, and we assist clients throughout Fairfield County.
• ● Personal attention: Attorney Pol handles each matter himself and communicates directly with clients.
• ● Clear explanations: We take time to explain the process, your options, and the possible risks and benefits of each decision.
• ● Related legal services: We also assist with divorce and family law, and criminal defense, which often overlap with restraining order cases.