depends on the wording of the order and what you're doing, actually. For instance, if you are genuinely a customer of a store your ex works at- that is, you aren't visiting the store just to freak out the person who took out the restraining order- then it might well not be enforceable (for similar reasons to why restraining orders aren't generally "stay no less than X distance away at all times"- it's usually an unreasonable burden on the one served with a restraining order.)
Basically, you need to use common sense. a restraining order is fundamentally "don't actively try to" not "go out of your way to avoid"- which is where the hollywood version differs.
Actually a restraining order in most states is a civil order, meaning that violation of the order is not a crime by itself but counts as contempt of court, which can only be punished with a fine. A Magistrate's Order for Emergency Protection (MOEP) is a restraining order that is criminally enforceable: violating it will result in the aforementioned dog pile of cops.
Still Forecharmer
I think that the trope page image should be the XKCD comic http://xkcd.com/415/
Will someone add the image? I dont know how.
A restraining order's enforceability depends on why it's issued: One issued in a domestic violence case has more 'teeth' then one issued otherwise. (Also depends on the state/country.) They still work best against people who really don't want be arrested or go to jail.
(And seriously, a restraining order for the county means no contact period for the whole bloody county. Not 'except this one place' which happens to be your ex's work.)
Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving. -Terry Pratchett Hide / Show Replies