Source: http://benchbook.texaschildrenscommission.gov/library_item/gov.texaschildrenscommission.benchbook/13
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 04:05:00+00:00

Document:
DFPS is specifically authorized to file an application for a protective order. Tex. Fam. Code § 82.002(d)(2).
• Direct a respondent to do or refrain from doing certain acts. Tex. Fam. Code § 83.001(b).
• Exclude a perpetrator from a residence under certain situations. Tex. Fam. Code § 83.006.
The order is effective for up to 20 days. Tex. Fam. Code § 83.002(a). On an applicant’s request or on the court’s own order, the 20-day period may be extended for additional 20-day periods. Tex. Fam. Code § 83.002(b).
A temporary ex parte protective order may be issued without notice or hearing, but the court has the option to recess the hearing to contact the respondent by phone and provide the respondent with an opportunity to be present for the hearing. If the court chooses to recess to allow the respondent an opportunity to be present, the hearing must resume that same day without regard to the respondent’s availability. Tex. Fam. Code § 83.006(c).
A temporary ex parte protective order can be enforced through a civil contempt proceeding, and certain provisions can be criminally enforced. Tex. Fam. Code § 85.021; Tex. Fam. Code § 85.022; and Tex. Penal Code § 25.07(a).
During the time a temporary ex parte protective order is in existence, it supersedes any other order under Tex. Fam. Code Title 5 to the extent there is a conflict. Tex. Fam. Code § 83.005.
Protective orders may be issued by a court if the court finds that family violence has occurred and is likely to occur in the future. Tex. Fam. Code § 85.001.
A prosecuting attorney may not be precluded from representing a party in a proceeding under Tex. Fam. Code Title 4, Subtitle B and DFPS in another action involving the party, regardless of whether the proceeding under Tex. Fam. Code Title 4, Subtitle B occurs before, concurrently with, or after the other action involving the party. Tex. Fam. Code § 81.0075.
• Any county in which the family violence is alleged to have occurred. Tex. Fam. Code § 82.003.
possessing a firearm, unless the person is a peace officer, actively engaged in employment as a sworn, full-time paid employee of a state agency or political subdivision. Tex. Fam. Code § 85.022(b).
◦ an offense under Tex. Penal Code Title 6.
• The respondent is seeking or attempting to seek contact with the child. Tex. Fam. Code § 81.0015.
A protective order issued pursuant Tex. Fam. Code, Title 4, Subtitle B is effective for a period stated in the order, not to exceed two years; or if a period is not stated in the order, until the second anniversary of the date the order was issued. Tex. Fam. Code § 85.025(a). A court may render a protective order sufficient to protect the applicant and members of the applicant’s family or household that is effective for a period that exceeds two years if the court makes specific findings pursuant to Tex. Fam. Code § 85.025(a-1).
• The second anniversary of the date the person is released from confinement or imprisonment, if the person was sentenced to confinement or imprisonment for five years or less. Tex. Fam. Code § 85.025(c).
"IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON, OTHER THAN A PEACE OFFICER, AS DEFINED BY TEX. PENAL CODE § 1.07, ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN EMPLOYMENT AS A SWORN, FULL-TIME PAID EMPLOYEE OF A STATE AGENCY OR POLITICAL SUBDIVISION, WHO IS SUBJECT TO A PROTECTIVE ORDER, TO POSSESS A FIREARM OR AMMUNITION."
• Delivered to law enforcement and the child's child care or school, as applicable, Tex. Fam. Code § 85.042.
• Forward a copy of the final protective order to the court in which the suit is pending. Tex. Fam. Code § 85.062(c).
A protective order rendered by a court may be transferred to the court having jurisdiction over the suit affecting the parent-child relationship or of continuing, exclusive jurisdiction. Tex. Fam. Code § 85.064.
If a suit affecting the parent-child relationship is pending, a party to the suit may apply for a protective order against another party to the suit by filing an application in the court within which the suit is pending, or in the court within the county in which the applicant resides if the applicant resides outside the jurisdiction of the court in which the suit is pending. Tex. Fam. Code § 85.062(a).
An applicant for a protective order or an attorney representing an applicant may not be assessed any type of fee by a district or county clerk of the court or a sheriff, constable, or other public official or employee for the filing, serving, or entering of a protective order or for any other service. Tex. Fam. Code § 81.002.
DFPS is also required to include in its petition for removal a statement as to whether there is a protective order in effect or an application pending under Title 4, Family Code, Chapter 7A, Code of Criminal Procedure, or an order for emergency protection under Article 17.292, Code of Criminal Procedure. The Department must also attach a copy of each order in effect, if a party to the suit or a child of a party was the applicant or victim and the other party was the respondent. If a copy of an order in effect is not available at the time of filing of the petition, the petition must state that a copy of the order will be filed with the court before any hearing. Tex. Fam. Code § 102.008.
A temporary restraining order is not criminally enforceable like temporary ex parte protective orders and protective orders, both of which are designed to protect people and provide a greater level of protection than temporary restraining orders.
The Texas Office of Court Administration produced a reference manual in 2011, the Texas Family Violence Bench Book, devoted entirely to the law on family violence in Texas and updated Texas Family Violence Bench Book chapters in 2013.

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