| A "no contact order" means that the defendant is | | | | communication is initiated. A no contact order expires |
| precluded from having any contact and or | | | | when the sentence period is finished. It also expires if |
| communication with the victim or the person under | | | | the case is dismissed or the defendant is found not |
| the protection of the no contact order. This includes | | | | guilty. However, be careful because there may also |
| but is not limited to letters, emails, text messages or | | | | be another restraining order issued as a result of a |
| messages delivered through a third party. This article | | | | divorce or Family Court matter or a District Court |
| pertains to Rhode Island (RI) no contact orders. | | | | restraining order. |
| In other words if a person is under this type of | | | | A person who is on probation, bail or a probation |
| restrianing order and sees the victim in public they | | | | attached to a suspended sentence must be even |
| must leave the area immediately and not | | | | more vigilante in order to not violate the no contact |
| acknowledge the victims existence. A person cannot | | | | order. A violation is a crime in itself which is also a |
| even say "hi" if they walk by the victim by chance | | | | violation of the conditions of probation, filing or bail. |
| on the street. | | | | A person on probation, during a one year filing or bail |
| Be very careful! A person can be arrested for a | | | | can be held at the ACI if they are accused of |
| violation even if the victim initiates the contact and | | | | violating a no-contact order. For example if a person |
| calls the defendant. A person can be charged with a | | | | is on probation, filing or bail, a single phone call made |
| violation even if invited by his wife to come back to | | | | by the defendant to a victim under the protection of |
| the marital home. | | | | a no contact order probably means a minimum of ten |
| Even if the victim tells you that the no contact order | | | | 10 days in jail at the ACI. We are not talking about |
| has been dropped, do not take the victims word for | | | | the local town jail but the ACI. If a person has a |
| it. You must see the piece of paper signed by the | | | | suspended sentence the amount of jail time for could |
| judge dismissing the order before any contact or | | | | be substantial. |