View Citation by Publication/Notices and Protective Orders

Protective Order

In 2019, the Texas Legislature passed SB 325, requiring the Texas Office of Court Administration (the Office) to develop a Protective Order Registry (the Registry). The bill is now codified in Chapter 72, Subchapter F of the Texas Government Code, §§ 72.151 – 72.158. This important legislation is also known as "Monica's Law" in honor of Monica Deming, who was murdered by an abusive ex-boyfriend in 2015 in Odessa, Texas. Unbeknownst to Monica, the perpetrator had been the subject of two prior protective orders.

While state and federal law currently provides peace officers access to limited information on issued protective orders, the Registry provides access to both applications and orders to other members of the justice community. In addition, the Registry contains images of both applications and orders to facilitate more comprehensive investigation and enforcement.

The statewide registry also provides limited public access to protective orders when the protected person has authorized access. This access is subject to strict confidentiality standards to protect victims of family violence, stalking, sexual assault, and human trafficking.

NOTE: Electronic access to court information regarding protection orders is restricted by federal and state law in addition to court rules and orders. The OCA Protective Order Registry does not provide access to either confidential or sealed case information. The information on the Registry is made available as a public service by the Office of Court Administration.

Information displayed on the Registry is not an official court record. The information may contain errors or omissions and should not be considered complete or used as an official court record. Accuracy of the information is not warranted. Official records of court proceedings may only be obtained directly from the court maintaining the record.