DANCO vs. OFP vs. HRO in Minnesota

Quick Comparison

DANCO — Domestic Abuse No Contact Order

A DANCO is issued inside a criminal case, typically a domestic assault or similar charge. A judge can impose it as a condition of release and it can continue through the case. It usually bars all contact with the alleged victim — direct or indirect — and violating it is a separate crime, even if the protected person initiates the contact. Because it lives in the criminal case, it is controlled by the criminal court. (See our pages on what a DANCO is and whether a DANCO can be lifted or modified.)

OFP — Order for Protection

An OFP is a civil order under Minnesota's Domestic Abuse Act. The protected person petitions for it, and it applies where there is a qualifying domestic relationship — a family or household member, or certain relationship situations. An OFP can order no contact, exclude someone from a home, and address temporary issues like custody or use of property. Violating an OFP can be a crime.

HRO — Harassment Restraining Order

An HRO is also civil, but it is not limited to domestic relationships. It addresses harassment — repeated, intrusive, or unwanted acts, or a single incident of certain conduct — and can be sought against a neighbor, coworker, acquaintance, stranger, or anyone else. The protected person petitions for it, and violating an HRO can be a crime. (See our page on OFPs and HROs.)

Why You Can Have More Than One

These orders come from different tracks, so they can overlap. It is common, for example, for a person facing a domestic assault charge to be subject to a DANCO in the criminal case and an OFP in a separate civil case at the same time. Each must be obeyed on its own terms, and each carries its own consequences for violation. Resolving one does not automatically resolve the other.

What They Have in Common

• All three can prohibit contact and impose distance and conduct restrictions.
• All three are court orders that must be obeyed until a court changes them.
• Violating any of them can result in criminal charges — and with a DANCO, a violation is itself a crime regardless of who initiated contact.
• None can be safely resolved by informal agreement or by contacting the protected person.

The Practical Bottom Line

If you are subject to any of these orders, follow it exactly and address any problems through the court — not through contact. If you want an order changed, that is done by motion or petition in the right case. Because these orders can affect your home, your children, and your freedom, getting advice quickly is worthwhile.

Key Terms

• DANCO: Domestic Abuse No Contact Order, issued in a criminal case.
• OFP: Order for Protection, a civil order for domestic relationships.
• HRO: Harassment Restraining Order, a civil order against harassment.
• Family or household member: The relationship category that supports an OFP.
• Petition: The civil request a protected person files for an OFP or HRO.