In seeking a restraining order, in which county can you file?

• A. Respondent resides
• B. Offense occurred
• C. Complainant resides
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

The venue for seeking a restraining order is flexible to ensure you can access a court with a legitimate connection to the case. You can file in the county where the respondent resides, the county where the offense or abuse occurred, or the county where the complainant resides. This matters because the court needs jurisdiction to issue the order and to enforce it, and each of these connections provides a valid basis for filing. For example, if the respondent lives in one county, the incident happened in another, and you live in a third, you typically have the option to file in any of those counties. Once issued, protective orders are generally enforceable across different jurisdictions, helping ensure your safety.