CH-150 Can a Civil Harassment Restraining Order Help Me?
What is a Civil Harassment Restraining How long does the order last?
Order?
If the court makes a temporary order, it will last until
It is a court order that helps protect people from your hearing date. At that time, the court will decide
harassment. to continue or cancel the order. The order could last
for up to 3 years.
Can I get a Civil Harassment Restraining How will the person to be restrained know
Order? about the order?
You can ask for one if you are worried about your Someone over 18 years of age—not you or anyone else
safety because someone: protected by the order— must “serve” (give) the person
• Stalked to be restrained a copy of the order. For help with
• Harassed service, ask the court clerk for Form CH-135.
• Sexually assaulted or
What if the restrained person does not
• Threatened you with violence. obey the order?
Call the police. The restrained person can be arrested
How will the order help me? and charged with a crime.
The court can order a person to:
• Not harass or threaten you How much does it cost?
• Not contact or go near you and That depends on the type of harassment. If the
• Not have a gun restrained person has used or threatened to use
You can also ask for protection for other family or violence against you or has stalked you, you do not
household members. have to pay a filing fee.
If you cannot afford to pay the filing fee, ask the clerk
What forms do I need to get the order? how to apply for a fee waiver. Form FW-001 is
Fill out Forms CH-100 and CH-120. Then file them available for this purpose.
with the court clerk. You are entitled to free service of the court’s order by a
Where can I get these forms? sheriff or marshal if the order is based on a credible
threat of violence or stalking. Also, if you are eligible
You can get the forms at any courthouse or county law for a fee waiver, you can ask the sheriff or marshal to
library at: www.courtinfo.ca.gov/forms serve the order for free. If you are not eligible for free
How soon can I get the order? service, you may pay the sheriff or marshal to serve the
order.
If you ask for a temporary restraining order (Form
CH-120), the court will decide within 24 hours whether or The court can make the person who loses the case pay all
not to make the order. Sometimes the court decides sooner. the court fees and the lawyer’s fees for the other party.
Requests for Accommodations
Assistive listening systems, computer-assisted real-time captioning, or sign language interpreter services are
available if you ask at least 5 days before the hearing. Contact the clerk’s office or go to www.courtinfo.ca.gov/forms
for Request for Accommodations by Persons With Disabilities and Order (Form MC-410). (Civil Code, § 54.8.)
Judicial Council of California
www.courtinfo.ca.gov Can a Civil Harassment Restraining Order Help Me? CH-150, Page I of 2
Rev. July 1, 2007, Optional Form
(Civil Harassment)
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CH-150 Can a Civil Harassment Restraining Order Help Me?
Do I have to go to court?
Yes. Go to court on the date the clerk gives you.
Do I need a lawyer?
No. But it is a good idea. Ask the court clerk about free
and low-cost legal services and self-help centers in your
county.
Do I need to bring a witness to the court
hearing?
No. But it helps to have proof of the harassment. You can
bring:
• A written statement from witnesses made under oath
• Witnesses
• Photos
• Medical or police reports
• Damaged property
• Threatening letters, e-mails, or telephone messages
The court may or may not let witnesses speak at the hearing.
So, if possible, you should bring witnesses’ written statements
under oath to the hearing. (You can use Form MC-030 for this.)
Will I see the restrained person at the What if I am deaf?
court hearing?
If you are deaf, contact the clerk at least 5 days before the
If the person comes to the hearing, yes. But that person hearing. Ask for an interpreter or other accommodation.
does not have the right to speak to you. If you are afraid, (See information on Requests for Accommodations at the
tell the court officer. bottom of page 1.)
What if I move?
Can I bring someone with me to court?
Your restraining order works anywhere in the United
Yes. You can bring someone to sit with you during the States. If you move out of California, contact your new
hearing. But that person cannot speak for you in court. local police so that they will know about your orders.
Only you or your lawyer (if you have one) can speak
for you.
Need more information?
Ask the court clerk about free or low-cost legal help.
What if I don't speak English?
When you file your papers, ask the clerk if a court
interpreter is available. You may have to pay a fee for For help in your area, contact:
the interpreter. If the interpreter is not available for [Local information may be inserted.]
your court date, bring someone to interpret for you.
You cannot ask a child under 18 to interpret for you.
Rev. July 1, 2007
Can a Civil Harassment Restraining Order Help Me? CH-150, Page 2 of 2
(Civil Harassment)
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