§ 11-37.2-2. Protective orders — Penalty — Jurisdiction.
(a) A person who is a victim of sexual assault as defined in § 11-37-1, 11-37-2, 11-37-4, 11-37-6, 11-37-8.1, 11-37-8.3 or 11-59-2, may file a complaint in the district court requesting any order which will protect him or her from the future abuse, including, but not limited to, the following:
(1) Ordering that the defendant be restrained and enjoined from contacting, assaulting, molesting or otherwise interfering with the plaintiff at home, on the street or elsewhere, whether the defendant is an adult or minor;
(2) Upon motion by the plaintiff, his or her address shall be released only at the discretion of the district court judge.
(b) Nothing in this section shall limit a defendant’s right under existing law to petition the court at a later date for modification of the order.
(c) Any violation of the aforementioned protective order shall subject the defendant to being found in contempt of court.
(d) The contempt order shall not be exclusive and shall not preclude any other available civil or criminal remedies. Any relief granted by the court shall be for a fixed period of time not to exceed three (3) years, at the expiration of which time the court may extend any order upon motion by the plaintiff for such additional time as it deems necessary to protect the plaintiff from abuse. The court may modify its order at any time upon motion of either party.
(e) Any violation of a protective order under this chapter of which the defendant has actual notice shall be a misdemeanor which shall be punished by a fine of no more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.
(f) “Actual notice” means that the defendant has received a copy of the order by service thereof or by being handed a copy of the order by a police officer pursuant to § 8-8.1-7.
History of Section.P.L. 2009, ch. 239, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 240, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 11-37.2 - Sexual Assault Protective Orders
Section 11-37.2-1. - Filing of complaint.
Section 11-37.2-2. - Protective orders — Penalty — Jurisdiction.
Section 11-37.2-3. - Temporary orders — Ex parte proceedings.
Section 11-37.2-4. - Report to law enforcement agency.
Section 11-37.2-5. - Return of service — Alternate service.
Section 11-37.2-6. - Notice of penalties — Notice of renewal.