What may be done if a person violates a protection order?

• A. Arrest may be made upon probable cause
• B. A warning only
• C. A fine but no arrest
• D. No consequences unless criminal act occurs

Answer: (A)

When a protection order exists, it is a binding court directive designed to keep someone away or to regulate contact for the safety of a person. If there’s probable cause that the order has been violated, law enforcement can arrest the violator. This reflects that the violation itself is treated as a criminal matter or contempt of court in many places, so officers are empowered to act quickly to protect the protected person.

While a警 officers might sometimes issue a warning or take other steps, the standard response to a proven or clearly suspected violation is arrest based on probable cause. The idea that there are no consequences unless another crime occurs isn’t accurate, because breaking the order is in itself actionable.