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Protective orders are placed on people to limit communication or contact between them and someone else. You’ll typically find them in civil cases, but there are criminal orders of protection, especially if people are complying with what the court orders.
Regardless of the type of restraining order, if you’ve made it here, you’re likely trying to find the answer to – are protective orders public in Virginia? The short answer is yes, but there’s a lot more to it than that. Read on to learn more about protective orders in Virginia and how they’re handled.
What Is a Protective Order in Virginia?
Protective orders are court-issued orders that prevent people from interacting; they’re also known as restraining orders or orders of protection. One party has to file a petition to enact a protective order, and evidence must be presented to the court or else won’t go through; you can’t just make something up and have it approved in Virginia or anywhere else in the United States.
Once a protective order is active, contact becomes limited with some examples being:
- A minimum distance someone has to keep
- Calling or texting restrictions
- Limitations on visiting specific locations
- Follow custody orders
- Not own or have any access to firearms and other weapons
Depending on the type of restraining order, someone may even have to move out of their home; something that usually happens during domestic cases or domestic abuse cases.
Are Protective Orders in Virginia Public Record?
Yes, protective orders in Virginia can be public records. As long as you’re looking for a public record that was issued for a criminal case, you shouldn’t have any issues finding it. This is because criminal records are public in Virginia, and that includes protective orders.
That said, it’s possible for a protective order to not be a public record in Virginia. If a judge seals a protective order in Virginia, for example, it won’t be public, so when this happens you won’t be able to view information from it anymore. This applies to the public, but law enforcement agencies may still have access to this information, especially if a similar case is brought against the individual again.
Do Restraining Orders Show Up on Background Checks in Virginia?
Yes, restraining orders will show up on background checks in Virginia. That said, some criminal background checks may not provide details about protective orders because they’re civil cases. Therefore, it depends on the type of background check and what the employer is looking for.
How to Find Protective Orders in Virginia
There are a few ways to find protective orders in Virginia. You can use a third-party search tool, check with law enforcement agencies, or visit court databases. Learn more about these methods in detail below.
PublicRecord.com
The best way to find protective orders in Virginia is to use a public record lookup like PublicRecord.com. It’s a third-party search tool that combs through millions of public databases to help you find public records. This includes orders of protection, court records, jail sentences, and much more. Aside from public records, PublicRecord.com also takes things a step further and helps you find information including:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Address
- Email addresses
- Social media accounts
- Dating profiles
- Public civil court records
- Phone numbers
What’s more, running a search with PublicRecord.com is simple and all you need is their name, city, and state.
Local Courts
If you want to find a protective order from the source, visiting local courts is a great way to do so. You can use PublicRecord.com to find the courthouse, and then you can visit the court and request information about protective orders from the clerk. In order to get information from the court you’ll likely need their name or the case number. Some courts may also have online resources or you can mail in a request.
Law Enforcement Agencies
Law enforcement agencies in Virginia also have information about orders of protection, especially active cases. You can visit law enforcement agencies or you can use the Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN) to find the information you’re after. There is also a Virginia Protective Order Registry that houses some of this information.
Find Protective Orders in Virginia Today!
Protective orders are open to the public in Virginia, so if you know one is out there you can find it. We always recommend starting with PublicRecord.com because it can help you find everything you’re looking for in one simple full report. Even if you don’t find what you need right away, it can start your search and point you to the right law enforcement agency or courthouse.
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