How do you respond to a temporary restraining order issued by a Massachusetts court?

Answer 1

In Texas a TRO must include a date for a hearing, which must be within 14 days of issuing the order. During that 14 days, your best bet is to marshall your evidence for the hearing. That is, evidence and proof that support removing the TRO. The TRO has a time, date and place for the hearing. SHOW UP FOR THAT HEARING! If you don't, the Court will likely convert the TRO to a "permenent" Restraining Order (which will be periodically reviewed by the Court). If the other party fails to convince the Court that you should be permenently restrained, he will have to pay all your costs and fees.

Good luck

Answer 2

You must comply with the restraining order at all times. Usually a temporary restraining order is called an "ex parte" order which has been granted in your absence - the judge will rule in favor of its enforcement but also set a date for a second hearing at which you appear to defend your case. See this reference article for further explanation on the differences:

http://fighting-a-restraining-order.e-tomes.com/fighting-a-restraining-order-temporary-vs-permanent.html

You should defend yourself against the allegations otherwise it will become a permanent order against you. In your answer you need to state you do not want the TRO and that the Plaintiff is not in harm and that there is no credible threat and no future threat.

Answer 3

You do what the restraining order says. So, if it says pay someone, you pay them. If it says to do something, you do it. If it says to stop doing something, you stop doing it. If it says appear somewhere to explain something, then you appear and explain.

Answer 4

A TRO is an order of the court, issued immediately and without a hearing, commanding a person to not do something.

If your situation is one of domestic violence, then your court may have a special office [family violence] who will assist you in requesting a TRO.

But if you want a temporary restraining order to -- say, prevent your neighbor from letting his dog loose, you would probably need the help of an attorney. The attorney will prepare a motion for a TRO which will contain specific allegations required by the court and may even require that you post a bond to protect the defendant from being unlawfully restrained [remember that the TRO issues without a hearing].