What is a Civil Harassment Restraining Order?
A civil harassment restraining order is a court order that helps protect you from violence, stalking, serious harassment, or threats of violence by someone you have not dated and do NOT have a close relationship with, like a neighbor, a roommate, or a friend (that you have never dated). California Code of Civil Procedure Section 527.6 defines civil harassment and the legal process for obtaining a civil harassment restraining order. Under this code section, harassment is defined as unlawful violence, like assault or battery or stalking, or a credible threat of violence, and the violence or threats seriously scare, annoy, or harass someone. A credible threat of violence includes following or stalking someone, making harassing calls, or sending harassing messages by phone, mail, or e-mail, over a period of time. If you do not qualify for a civil harassment restraining order, you may be able to ask for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order for protection from people you were involved with romantically or close family members such as your spouse/partner, former spouse/partner, your parent, child, sibling, or grandparents.
Here’s more information about Civil Harassment Restraining Orders.