A Protective Order is a legal document that is granted by a judge. The order may state that your abuser cannot come within 100 yards of you, and may not have any communication with you including phone conversations, emails, text messages, or third party contact. The judge can also order that your abuser cannot go to your workplace. In order to qualify for a protective order there must be a relationship between you and your abuser such as a spouse, family member, or someone you’ve dated.
A temporary protective order can last up to thirty days. The judge will set a court date at which time you and your abuser will go before the judge. At this time, the judge will decide whether or not to grant you a permanent protective order, which can last up to 18 months. During the time the protective order is active, if the abuser violates the order, he/she can be arrested.
In order for the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office to know that a violation has occurred, you must contact us to let us know.
To obtain the forms for the protective order, please visit our Police Social Services office located at 200 West 2nd Street in Downtown Thibodaux (near the District Attorney’s Office). You can also pick up forms from the Lafourche Parish Clerk of Court’s Office or the Domestic Violence Shelter of your choice. For more information, please call (985) 449-4476.