Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) BA State Certification Practice Exam

What is the main purpose of restraining orders?

1. To penalize offenders

2. To prevent contact or harm

3. To provide legal custody

4. To enforce court attendance

The correct answer is: To prevent contact or harm

The main purpose of restraining orders is to prevent contact or harm. Restraining orders are legal mechanisms designed to protect individuals from threats, harassment, or abuse by establishing boundaries that the restrained person must follow. This can include prohibiting the restrained individual from coming within a certain distance of the protected person, contacting them, or engaging in specific behaviors that could lead to harm. While restraining orders may have secondary effects, such as discouraging future contact or threatening behavior due to the legal ramifications, their primary function is to provide immediate protection to those in a vulnerable position. This protective measure is particularly important in situations involving domestic violence, stalking, or harassment, allowing individuals to feel safer and secure in their daily lives. The focus is on prevention rather than punishment, which is why the other options, while relevant in different contexts, do not capture the core intent of restraining orders.