What could happen if I violate a restraining order against me?

If you violate the restraining order, you may go to jail, pay a fine, or both.[2611] Make sure you review the order against you and know what you can and cannot do. A violation of a protective order can occur in many ways—for example, it could be a violation to contact the protected person through social media, even tagging the person in a picture or a comment. Violation of a protective order may also be leaving messages or being in the physical area of a protected person. A court may determine that you violated a protective order even if you respond to a message sent by the protected person. With all of these things in mind, the most simple instruction is to do not contact or respond to a person who has a restraining order against you in ANY manner.

  1. 2611

    Cal. Fam. Code § 6388. See also Cal. Penal Code § 273.6.