Emergency Protective Orders

An Emergency Protective Order (EPO) is a criminally enforceable court order that can be issued against the abuser following an arrest on a family violence offense. The victim is not required to be present in court when the order is issued and there is no separate application process required of the victim.

The length of time the EPO lasts will vary depending on the circumstances. The magistrate may issue the order for a minimum of 31 days and a maximum of 91 days. When a deadly weapon has been displayed, the order must be issued for a minimum of 61 days.

An emergency protective order (EPO) is available only at the time of an arrest for a crime involving family violence or sexual assault. It is temporary and emergency in nature and cannot be extended.

The EPO can be requested in the following ways: 

• By the victim of the alleged family violence offense;
• By a guardian of the victim;
• By an attorney representing the state; and/or 
• By a peace officer.
• The court may also issue the order on its own motion and, in certain circumstances, the order will be mandated by law.

To learn about other types of protective orders, please contact the Family Violence Legal Line at (800) 374-4673.

An EPO is mandatory if the offender is arrested for an offense that involved either:

• serious bodily injury as defined by the Texas Penal Code, or
• the use or exhibition of a deadly weapon during the commission of an assault.

1. Committing family violence or an act in furtherance of an offense under 42.07(a)(7) of the Texas Penal Code (stalking).
2. Communicating directly with the victim or with a member of the victim’s family or household in a threatening or harassing manner; and/or communicating a threat through any other person to the victim or member of the victim’s family/household. 
3. Going within a minimum distance (usually 200 yards) of the victim’s or member of the victim’s family’s:

• Residence 
• Place of employment 
• Child care facility and/or school and residence if different than above.