CHAPTER 6.  PROCEDURES FOR THE

PROTECTION OF A CHILD

Art. 617.  Temporary restraining order

A.  Upon good cause shown in an ex parte proceeding, the court may enter a temporary restraining order, without bond, as it deems necessary to protect from abuse or neglect the petitioner, any children, or any person alleged to be an incompetent.  Immediate and present danger of abuse shall constitute good cause for purposes of this Article.  The order may include but is not limited to the following:

(1)  Directing the defendant to refrain from abusing, neglecting, harassing, or interfering with the person or employment or going near the residence or place of employment of the petitioner, the children, or any person alleged to be incompetent, on whose behalf a petition was filed.

(2)  Awarding to a party use and possession of specified community property, such as an automobile.

(3)  Granting possession to the petitioner of the residence or household to the exclusion of the defendant, by evicting the defendant or restoring possession to the petitioner where:

(a)  The residence is jointly owned in equal proportion or leased by the defendant and the petitioner or the person on whose behalf the petition is brought.

(b)  The residence is solely owned by the petitioner of the person on whose behalf the petition is brought.

(c)  The residence is solely leased by defendant and defendant has a duty to support the petitioner or the person on whose behalf the petition is brought.

(4)  Prohibiting either party from transferring, encumbering, or otherwise disposing of property mutually owned or leased by the parties, except when in the ordinary course of business, or for the necessary support of the party or the minor children.

B.  If a temporary restraining order is granted without notice, the matter shall be set within ten days for a rule to show cause why the protective order should not be issued, at which time the petitioner must prove the allegations of abuse or neglect by a preponderance of the evidence.  The defendant shall be given notice of the temporary restraining order and the hearing on the rule to show cause by service of process as required by law.

C.  During the existence of the temporary restraining order, a party shall have the right to return to the family residence once to recover his or her personal clothing and necessities, provided that the party is accompanied by a law enforcement officer to insure the protection and safety of the parties.

D.  If no temporary restraining order has been granted, the court shall issue a rule to show cause why the protective order should not be issued, and set the rule for hearing on the earliest day that the business of the court will permit, but in any case within ten days from the date of service of the petition, at which time the petitioner must prove the allegations of abuse or neglect by a preponderance of the evidence.  The defendant shall be given notice by service of process as required by law.

E.  If the hearing pursuant to Paragraph B or D of this Article is continued, the court shall make or extend such temporary restraining orders as it deems necessary.  Such continuance shall not exceed ten days.

F.  The court may, in its discretion, grant an emergency temporary restraining order outside regular court hours.

G, H.  Repealed by Acts 2001, No. 567, §3.

Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1997, No. 1156, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1356, §1, eff. July 12, 1999; Acts 2001, No. 567, §3.