How To Check For A Restraining Order In Texas

A judge issues a restraining order when there is family violence.

There are different ways to check if there is a restraining order. In Texas, you can check online or by sending an e-mail to the law enforcement agency.

You can also use a victim notification service through third parties if you are not the restrained party. In Texas, a restraining order is known as a protective order.

A temporary protective order can last up to 20 days, and a general protective order can last up to two years.

Courts and Law Enforcement Agencies Work Together

The restrained party, or respondent, receives information about a restraining order by being served with a court order, often at home or at the person’s place of work.

How To Check For A Restraining Order

If you have a restraining order against someone, you can check with the court that issued the order or with the law enforcement agency that enforced the order. Call them.

Also, the victim or respondent can check with the court clerk or law enforcement. Court clerks submit protective order information to the Texas Crime Information Center. The law enforcement database, which the police or sheriffs have access to will have the order.

Law enforcement agencies vary in the resources they offer to obtain protective order information, but in general, you can visit, call or email agencies to get information about protective orders if you are a party to one.

Victim Notification Services

Victim Information and Notification Everyday, or VINE, is a network that notifies registered victims of case information, including restraining orders. The free service allows you to check the case online. Moreover, you can receive text messages and email notifications about changes in the case or the offender’s status.

The Houston Police Department among others ispartnered with VINE.

The Texas Statewide Automated Victim Notification System, or SAVNS, is a free, anonymous telephone service that allows victims, their families and concerned citizens to get offender information, such as custody status and related case information.

The statewide toll-free telephone number is 877-TX4-VINE.