Police can make a temporary DVO, but they must ask a judge in court to make the final DVO. Go to court and talk to the judge if you do not agree with the rules the police made in the temporary DVO.

When police take a temporary DVO to court, the judge might change the DVO rules, leave the rules the same or cancel the DVO.

The judge will make a decision about the DVO even if you do not go to court.

You must go to court if you want to tell the judge your story about the DVO rules.

Ask for help from a lawyer.

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Do you have a domestic violence order against you?
Domestic Violence Orders. Information for Defendants

This booklet has information about what might happen if you don’t follow a DVO.

Glossary: What these words mean

temporary domestic violence order (DVO)

If the police think someone isn’t safe they can make a temporary (also called interim) domestic violence order (DVO). For example, the police might make a temporary DVO when someone calls them because there is violence. A temporary DVO only lasts until it is talked about again in court. A judge can also make a temporary DVO. See also Domestic Violence Order (DVO).

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