Can a Civil Protection Order ever be modified or terminated?

Yes. Either the victim or the abuser can ask the court to modify or terminate the Civil Protection Order (CPO). That person has the burden of proving to the court that modification or termination of the CPO is appropriate because either the CPO is no longer needed or because the terms of the CPO are no longer appropriate.

In considering whether to modify or terminate a CPO, the court is to consider all relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the following:
(i) Whether the victim consents to modification or termination of the CPO;
(ii) Whether the victim fears the abuser;
(iii) The current nature of the relationship between the victim and the abuser;
(iv) The circumstances of the victim and abuser, including the relative proximity of the victim’s and abuser’s workplaces and residences and whether the victim and abuser have minor children together;
(v) Whether the abuser has complied with the terms and conditions of the CPO;
(vi) Whether the abuser has a continuing involvement with illegal drugs or alcohol;
(vii) Whether the abuser has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense of violence since the issuance of the CPO;
(viii) Whether any other protection orders, consent agreements, restraining orders, or no contact orders have been issued against the abuser;
(ix) Whether the abuser has participated in any domestic violence treatment, intervention program, or other counseling addressing domestic violence and whether the abuser has completed the treatment, program, or counseling;
(x) The time that has elapsed since the CPO was issued;
(xi) The age and health of the abuser;
(xii) When the last incident of abuse, threat of harm, or commission of a sexually oriented offense occurred or other relevant information concerning the safety and protection of the victim or other protected parties.

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