Matthew J. Ruff Family Law Blog on Lawyers.com

In California the law governing domestic violence allows for the issuance of a protective order to a victim of spousal abuse.  The order could require the alleged perpetrator to stay 100 yards away from the alleged victim. A criminal lawyer should be consulted in order to get specifics about any particular case.  In addition to stay away orders, other conduct orders could be placed such as no force or violence, etc.  The alleged victim can request that the order be dropped or not put in place.  Due to the possibility of future harm, the law is very liberally applied in these types of cases.  Once any criminal charges are dropped the protective order can be dissolved.  Other more permanent orders, such as restraining orders, can be obtained which could last as long as ten years.