An emergency protective order is a court order temporarily prohibiting a party from doing something to the opposing party. Usually, an emergency protective order is granted on an expedited basis without giving notice to the other party. Emergency protective orders are typically granted in domestic-violence cases where the victim is seeking a temporary restraining order that can only be issued by a police officer. Although notice to the abuser is not required, he or she must be served with the order.
[Last updated in June of 2021 by the Wex Definitions Team]