When someone won’t leave you alone, Georgia’s legal system offers several ways to create distance. No-contact orders help protect people from harassment, threats, or violence by legally requiring someone to stay away. But many people mix up the different types of orders or don’t know how to get one.
Find out how to get a no-contact order in Georgia and what to expect from the process.
Types of No-Contact Orders in Georgia
Georgia has several legal tools that can require someone to stay away from you, and each works differently:
- Bond Conditions: When someone is arrested for a crime against you, the judge can set a “no contact” rule as part of their bail conditions.
- Temporary Protective Orders (TPOs): These civil court orders specifically protect victims of family violence, stalking, or sexual assault.
- Conditions of Probation: If someone is convicted of a crime against you, staying away from you can be required during their probation.
Knowing which type fits your situation helps you take the right steps to get protection.
Who Can Get a No-Contact Order in Georgia?
Your relationship to the person and the circumstances determine which type of order you can get:
For Family Violence TPOs, you must have a specific relationship with the person, such as:
- Current or former spouse
- Parent of your child
- Current or former household member
- Current or former dating partner
For Stalking TPOs, the relationship doesn’t matter, but you must show evidence of stalking behavior.
For Bond Conditions or Probation Requirements, you must be the victim in a criminal case.
The Process of Getting a No-Contact Order
For Temporary Protective Orders (TPOs):
- File a Petition: Go to your county courthouse and file paperwork describing the violence, threats, or stalking. You don’t need a lawyer, but having one helps.
- Ex Parte Hearing: A judge reviews your petition, usually the same day you file. If they find reason to believe you need protection, they’ll issue a temporary order.
- Service: The sheriff delivers the order to the other person.
- Full Hearing: Within 30 days, the court holds a hearing where both sides present evidence. The other person can fight the order at this hearing.
- Final Order: If the judge rules in your favor, they issue a final protective order.
For Bond Conditions:
- Report the Crime: File a police report about the incident.
- Prosecution: If the person is arrested, tell the prosecutor you want a no contact condition.
- Bond Hearing: The prosecutor can ask the judge to include no contact as a bond condition.
What Protection Do No-Contact Orders Provide?
Most no-contact orders in Georgia prohibit the person from:
- Coming within a certain distance of you (usually 100-500 yards)
- Contacting you by phone, text, email, or social media
- Visiting your home, workplace, or school
- Using a third party to contact you
TPOs can also include additional protections like:
- Temporary child custody
- Financial support
- Requiring them to move out of a shared home
- Surrender of firearms
How Long Do No Contact Orders Last in Georgia?
The duration varies based on the type of order:
- Temporary Ex Parte TPOs: Last up to 30 days, until the full hearing.
- Final TPOs: Typically last up to 12 months, but can be extended to 3 years in some cases.
- Permanent TPOs: In rare cases with serious, repeated violations, a judge may issue a permanent order.
- Bond Conditions: Last until the criminal case ends.
- Probation Conditions: Last for the length of the probation period, which could be years.
Evidence You Need to Get a No-Contact Order
The strongest applications include solid evidence like:
- Police reports
- Medical records
- Photographs of injuries
- Text messages, emails, or voicemails
- Social media posts or messages
- Witness statements
- Records of previous incidents
- Log or journal of harassment or threats
For TPOs, you only need to show a “preponderance of evidence” – meaning it’s more likely than not that the abuse or stalking happened.
What Happens If Someone Violates a No-Contact Order?
Violations have serious consequences in Georgia:
- For TPOs: Violation is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a $1,000 fine. A second violation becomes an aggravated stalking felony with 1-10 years in prison.
- For Bond Conditions: The judge can revoke bail and put the person back in jail until trial.
- For Probation Conditions: The judge can revoke probation, sending the person to serve their sentence in jail or prison.
If someone violates an order, call 911 immediately. Police can arrest the person on the spot for violating the order.
Getting Help With a No Contact Order
Several resources can help you navigate the process:
- Domestic Violence Organizations: Provide free advocates who can guide you through filing for a TPO.
- Legal Aid: Offers free or low-cost legal help for those who qualify financially.
- Victim-Witness Assistance Programs: Many district attorney offices have staff to help crime victims.
- Private Attorneys: Provide comprehensive representation, particularly helpful for complex cases or restraining orders.
Most courthouses also have staff who can help you complete the basic paperwork for a TPO, though they cannot give legal advice.
Steps to Take While Waiting for Your Order
The legal process takes time. While waiting:
- Stay with friends or family if you feel unsafe
- Change your routine and routes
- Alert trusted neighbors, coworkers, or security personnel
- Document any continued harassment or contact
- Consider changing locks and increasing home security
- Look into safety apps for your phone
Your safety comes first – if you feel you’re in immediate danger, don’t wait for legal paperwork. Call 911 or go to a safe place right away.
Taking Action for Your Safety and Peace of Mind
No contact orders do more than create physical distance – they give you legal backup to enforce that space. While paperwork alone can’t guarantee safety, it puts the power of law enforcement behind your boundaries. Many people find that just having an order in place helps them sleep better at night, knowing they’ve taken concrete steps to protect themselves.
The system isn’t perfect, but Georgia offers multiple paths to legally keep someone at a distance. With documentation, persistence, and possibly legal help, you can use these tools to regain your sense of security and move forward with your life.
For teens and young adults navigating protective orders and related legal issues, Ghanouni Teen & Young Adult Defense Firm provides focused support rooted in real-world experience. The firm understands the importance of balancing safety, privacy, and long-term goals—especially for young people still shaping their futures.
To learn more or request a confidential consultation, visit www.pglawoffice.com.
