Civil Harassment Restraining Order (CHO)

A Civil Harassment Restraining Order (CHO) is a type of restraining order that is used in situations that do not involve domestic violence. In California, a Civil Harassment Restraining Order can be issued to prevent a person from: annoying, harassing, striking, following, or disturbing the peace of the protected individual(s); having direct or indirect, personal, telephonic, electronic, or written contact with the protected individual(s) or coming within 100 yards of the protected individual(s). In order to obtain a Civil Harassment Restraining Order against another person, the petitioner (person seeking the order) must demonstrate to the court that there is a high probability and a credible threat that the harassment or other prohibited behavior will continue. If petitioner can prove this with “clear and convincing” evidence, the court is likely to issue a restraining order for up to 5 years.