Current through Chapter 253 of the 2024 Legislative Session
Section 134-64 - Ex parte gun violence protective order(a) A petitioner may request that an ex parte gun violence protective order be issued before a hearing for a one-year gun violence protective order, without notice to the respondent.(b) The court shall issue or deny an ex parte gun violence protective order on the same day that the petition is submitted to the court, unless the petition is filed too late in the day to permit effective adjudication, in which case the order shall be issued or denied on the next business day.(c) Before issuing an ex parte gun violence protective order, the court may examine under oath the petitioner and any witnesses the petitioner may produce.(d) In determining whether sufficient grounds for an ex parte gun violence protective order exist, the court shall consider all relevant evidence presented by the petitioner, and may also consider other relevant evidence, including evidence of facts relating to the respondent's: (1) Unlawful, reckless, or negligent use, display, storage, possession, or brandishing of a firearm;(2) Act or threat of violence against the respondent's self or another person, regardless of whether the violence involves a firearm;(3) Violation of a protective order or restraining order issued pursuant to chapter 586 or section 604-10.5, or a similar law in another state;(4) Abuse of controlled substances or alcohol or commission of any criminal offense that involves controlled substances or alcohol; and(5) Recent acquisition of any firearms, ammunition, or other deadly weapons.(e) The court shall also consider the time that has elapsed since the events described in subsection (d).(f) If the court finds probable cause to believe that the respondent poses an imminent danger of causing bodily injury to the respondent's self or another person by owning, purchasing, possessing, receiving, or having in the respondent's custody or control any firearm or ammunition, the court shall issue an ex parte gun violence protective order.(g) An ex parte gun violence protective order issued pursuant to this section shall include: (1) A statement that the respondent shall not own, purchase, possess, receive, transfer ownership of, or have in the respondent's custody or control, or attempt to purchase, receive, or transfer ownership of, any firearm or ammunition while the order is in effect;(2) A description of the requirements for relinquishment of firearms and ammunition under section 134-67;(3) A statement of the grounds asserted for the order;(4) A notice of the hearing under section 134-63(d) to determine whether to issue a one-year gun violence protective order, including the address of the court and the date and time when the hearing is scheduled;(5) A statement that at the hearing, the court may extend the order for one year; and(6) A statement that the respondent may seek the advice of an attorney as to any matter connected with the order, and that the attorney should be consulted promptly so that the attorney may assist the respondent in any matter connected with the order.(h) An ex parte gun violence protective order issued pursuant to this section shall be personally served on the respondent by an officer of the appropriate county police department. The officer shall file the proof of service with the court within one business day of service.(i) In accordance with section 134-63(d), the court shall schedule a hearing within fourteen days of the granting of the petition for an ex parte gun violence protective order to determine if a one-year gun violence protective order shall be issued. A respondent may seek an extension of time before the hearing. The court shall dissolve any ex parte gun violence protective order in effect against the respondent if the court subsequently holds the hearing and issues or denies a one-year gun violence protective order.Added by L 2019, c 150,§ 2, eff. 1/1/2020.