No Contact Orders are intended to protect people who feel unsafe. Courts in Washington issue them in a variety of cases, most commonly those involving threats, harassment or stalking. These Orders apply to teens as well as adults. When a minor violates a No Contact Order issued by a judge or commissioner, it is taken seriously.
What a No Contact Order means
The Order tells the restrained person to stay away from another person or place. This can include no texts, no calls, and no messages on social platforms. It can also mean staying away from the other person’s school, home, or places of activities. Even “liking” a post or sending a message through a friend or any third party counts as contact. Posting messages to groups the protected party may be a part of is also a potential violation. Sometimes the protected party disagrees with the Order or feels it is not needed. Maybe the parents of a teen or the prosecutor’s office are requesting the Order on their behalf. It does not change the obligation to have no contact. It is a court order and must be followed, until the court changes it or it expires. Even if the protected party invites the restrained person to have contact, it is still a violation of the Order.
What happens after a violation
A violation occurs when the person restrained knowingly has contact with the protected party. Even one message can trigger the crime of Violating a Court Order. This applies to teens and adults. For minors, a violation can lead to detention, stricter rules or additional conditions if they are already on probation, and a new charge. If police have good reason to believe a teen violated the Order, they can arrest the teen on the spot under Washington law.
Why following the Order protects the teen
Following the Order keeps a teen out of deeper trouble. By showing they respect boundaries, they avoid new charges and show the Court they can make good choices. This simple step prevents a difficult situation from getting worse.
.