How to Get a Domestic Abuse Protective Order in Rhode Island

Rhode Island protective order process explained step-by-step.

Understanding Peace Bonds in Canada

Who Might Qualify for a Peace Bond

A peace bond is a criminal court order that can place conditions on another person to help increase safety. It is not the same as a family or civil protection order.

A person might be able to ask police or a Crown prosecutor to seek a peace bond when:

• They reasonably fear that another person will cause them or their child(ren) harm, or
• They reasonably fear that another person will damage their property, or
• They reasonably fear that another person will share or use private information or images to cause harm.

Peace bonds can sometimes be requested against:

• A current or former partner
• A family member
• Someone known in the community (for example, a neighbour, co‑worker, or acquaintance)
• In some situations, a stranger who has made threats or caused fear

From First Order to Full Hearing

The steps and timing can differ by region, but a peace bond process often involves:

1. Initial Report or Application

• The person seeking safety usually contacts police to describe their concerns and why they are afraid.
• Police may take a statement, review any available evidence, and decide whether to recommend a peace bond application to the Crown.
• In some areas, there may be community or legal supports that help prepare information for the court.

2. Temporary or Short‑Term Conditions

• In some situations, there may already be release conditions from a criminal charge (for example, “no contact” or “do not attend” conditions).
• If there is an urgent safety concern, police or a justice official may be able to put short‑term conditions in place while a longer‑term order is considered.
• These short‑term conditions are usually meant to cover the time until the person appears in court.

3. Service on the Other Person

• For a peace bond request to move forward, the other person (the “respondent”) usually needs to receive official notice of the application and the court date.
• This is called “service” and is generally arranged by police, a sheriff, or another authorized person—not by the person seeking safety.
• Once served, the respondent will know the date they must attend court and the type of order being considered.

4. Court Hearing

• At the hearing, a judge or justice of the peace decides whether there are reasonable grounds to fear that the respondent may cause harm, damage property, or otherwise act in a way that justifies a peace bond.
• The court may hear from the person seeking safety, the respondent, and sometimes other witnesses or evidence.
• If the respondent agrees to the peace bond, the process may be shorter; if they disagree, a fuller hearing with evidence may take place.
• If the court is satisfied that there is a reasonable fear, it can order a peace bond with specific conditions for a set period (often up to one year).

Relief That May Be Available Under a Peace Bond

The exact conditions depend on the situation and the judge’s decision. Conditions may include one or more of the following:

• No contact with the person named in the order, including in person, by phone, text, social media, or through others
• Not attending the home, workplace, school, or other locations where the person named in the order is likely to be
• Not possessing weapons or firearms, and sometimes being required to surrender any firearms and licences
• Not using alcohol or drugs in certain situations, if this is linked to safety concerns
• Following any additional rules that the court believes are needed to reduce risk

Other types of protection orders (usually through family or civil courts) may offer different or broader types of relief, such as short‑term decisions about possession of the home, parenting schedules, or financial matters. These options depend heavily on provincial and territorial laws.

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