Family Code · §85.041

Delivery of Protective Order to Respondent

Delivery of Protective Order to Respondent (§85.041): key points and worked practice questions for Texas peace officer exam preparation.

Key points

  • Order delivered to the respondent under Rule 21a, served like a writ of injunction, or served in open court at the close of the hearing (§85.041(a))
  • Required before criminal enforcement against respondent

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Worked examples

Worked example 1

Service of a Family Code protective order on the respondent must occur:

  1. Verbally only
  2. By personal service of a copy of the order on the respondent before it can be enforced against the respondent (with limited statutory exceptions) Correct
  3. Only by mail
  4. Only by family court bailiff
Why: Generally, personal service is required. Officers can verify service in TLETS / NCIC entries and the court's docket. An unserved order may be enforced as a civil matter only against the parties on notice.
Statute: Tex. Fam. Code §85.041; §85.042