Which statement best describes the main purpose of a protective order?

• A. To restrict contact between the protected person and the alleged offender.
• B. To require the offender to wear a monitoring bracelet.
• C. To authorize surveillance of public spaces.
• D. To dissolve a criminal case early.

Answer: (C)

Protective orders are court-imposed safeguards meant to keep a person safe by limiting the other party’s ability to contact or come near them. The main idea is to create a clear boundary and prevent further harassment, abuse, or threats by prohibiting contact, proximity, or communications with the protected person. Violating the order can carry consequences, which helps enforce that boundary.

The other ideas don’t fit the core purpose: a monitoring bracelet might be used as part of a broader set of conditions, but it isn’t the central goal of the protective order itself; surveillance of public spaces isn’t related to protecting a specific individual; and dissolving a criminal case early has no connection to providing safety for a victim.