Duration of Orders of Protection: not less than how many months and no more than how many months?

• A. Not less than 1 year and no more than 2 years
• B. Not less than 6 months and no more than 1 year
• C. Not less than 3 months and not more than 9 months
• D. Not less than 2 years and not more than 5 years

Answer: (B)

The duration question is about how long an Order of Protection typically lasts before it needs renewal or a new order. In many jurisdictions, the initial protection is set for a period that balances immediate safety with a reasonable time to assess ongoing risk. The standard range is six months to one year, so the best answer states not less than 6 months and no more than 12 months. This means the order provides protection for at least half a year but not beyond a year without a subsequent court review. If ongoing danger remains after the initial period, extensions or new orders are considered through additional court proceedings, often requiring a showing of continued risk. Other options—durations shorter than six months or longer than twelve months—do not fit the typical initial protection window because they either leave a gap in safety too soon or extend the order beyond the common initial framework without reevaluation.