Massachusetts law about defending against a c. 209A Order

Laws, cases, and web sources on defending against a c. 209A abuse prevention restraining order.

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Best bet

Abusive prevention orders for defendants, Mass. Trial Courts.
Find out what happens if someone files an abusive prevention order against you. Links to information about what an abuse prevention order does, what happens if you violate an abuse prevention order, and what you can do to change, end, or appeal an abuse prevention order.

Massachusetts laws

MGL c. 209A Abuse prevention

MGL c. 211A, § 10 Appellate jurisdiction

Selected cases

Selected court cases on defending against a 209A abuse prevention order

Forms

Domestic violence restraining order (MGL c. 209A) forms
Search for forms for Defendant.

Web sources

Guidelines for judicial practice: Abuse prevention proceedings, Administrative Office of the Trial Court, revised October 2021. 

• See also: Abuse prevention proceedings revised guidelines and referenced documents

Intimate Partner Abuse Education Programs, Mass. Department of Public Health.
A list of the certified IPAEP programs is available for people who abuse their intimate partners. 

Restraining orders in Massachusetts: Your rights whether you are a plaintiff or a defendant, prepared by the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee, October 2012.

What is a certified Intimate Partner Abuse Education Program?, Mass Legal Help, 2025.
Describes and answers questions about the educational programs and what can be expected from the programs.

Print sources

Appellate practice and procedure, 4^th ed., (Mass Practice v. 41A) Thomson Reuters, 2020 with supplement. Chapter 59.

Criminal practice and procedure, 4^th ed. (Mass Practice v. 30B) Thomson Reuters, 2014 with supplement. Chapter 68.

Family law and practice: With forms, 4^th ed. (Mass Practice v. 2A) Thomson Reuters, 2013 with supplement. Chapter 77.

Obtaining, enforcing and defending c.209A restraining orders in Massachusetts, 3^rd ed., MCLE.

Obtaining or fighting a restraining order, MCLE, 2021.

Last updated:	June 4, 2025