North Dakota

Overview In North Dakota, the state’s public policy is clear: access to protection should never depend on ability to pay. Individuals seeking a Disorderly Conduct Restraining Order (DCRO) can file their petitions without paying any filing fees, service charges, or court costs. This fee waiver is codified in administrative court policy and reinforced by the…

Overview A Disorderly Conduct Restraining Order (DCRO) in North Dakota is a civil order designed to protect individuals from unwanted and intrusive behavior that threatens their sense of safety or privacy. It is not limited to domestic or family relationships — anyone who is harassed, followed, or intimidated by another person may seek a DCRO…

Overview North Dakota provides more than one pathway for court-ordered protection because risks, relationships, and statutory purposes differ. The two most referenced civil remedies are the Disorderly Conduct Restraining Order (DCRO) under N.D.C.C. § 12.1-31.2-01 and the Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) under N.D.C.C. ch. 14-07.1. Both are powerful: each can impose no-contact mandates, stay-away…

Overview A Disorderly Conduct Restraining Order (DCRO) in North Dakota is a civil order with criminal teeth. When a respondent, after being properly notified, violates any provision of a valid DCRO, that violation is a Class A misdemeanor—exposing the violator to arrest without a warrant on probable cause, prosecution, fines, jail, and collateral consequences. Because…

Overview Under N.D.C.C. § 12.1-31.2-01, a judge may grant a temporary Disorderly Conduct Restraining Order (DCRO) ex parte—i.e., without first hearing from the respondent—when the petition shows reasonable grounds. The moment that temporary order is signed, a short, mandatory clock starts: the court must set the hearing “not later than 14 days” after issuance of…

Overview Preparing persuasive, well-organized evidence is the single best way to help a North Dakota district court judge understand what happened and why a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) should be granted or continued. North Dakota’s DVPO law (N.D.C.C. ch. 14-07.1) empowers district courts to issue civil protective relief when the record shows domestic violence…

Overview North Dakota law recognizes several types of civil protection orders that safeguard individuals from abuse, harassment, or threats. The most common are the Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO), the Disorderly Conduct Restraining Order (DCRO), and the Sexual Assault Restraining Order (SARO). All three are issued by the North Dakota District Courts but differ in…

Overview In North Dakota, a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) is a court-issued civil order that legally restricts a person from contacting, threatening, or harming another. Once issued by a district court, it carries full legal authority under North Dakota Century Code § 14-07.1. Violating that order is a serious offense. The violation may result…

Overview A Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) in North Dakota is a civil court remedy designed to provide legal protection when a person fears or has experienced domestic violence from someone with whom they share a qualifying relationship. Under North Dakota Century Code Chapter 14‑07.1, petitioners must file the proper paperwork in a state district…

Overview In North Dakota, petitioners generally do not pay a civil filing fee to request a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO). The district courts prioritize protection-order matters and, as a matter of state practice, do not charge the standard civil filing fee at the time you submit a DVPO petition. However, you may still encounter…