A no-contact order in a Rhode Island domestic assault case is a court order prohibiting the defendant from contacting the alleged victim in any way, directly or through third parties. The order is typically issued automatically at arraignment and remains in effect throughout the case. It covers phone calls, text messages, social media, in-person contact, and contact through friends or family. The order often requires the defendant to leave the shared home, even if the defendant is the lease holder or owner. Violation is a separate criminal offense that can result in immediate arrest and additional charges.
