What Is a DANCO in Minnesota?

Where a DANCO Comes From

A DANCO is issued within a criminal case — typically a domestic assault or similar charge. A judge can put one in place as a condition of release or pretrial, and it can continue during the case and after sentencing. Because it is tied to the criminal case, you do not "apply" for a DANCO; the court issues it in the prosecution. (See our page on domestic assault and the OFP/HRO comparison.)

What a DANCO Prohibits

A DANCO generally prohibits all contact with the protected person — not just in-person contact, but calls, texts, emails, social media, and messages passed through other people ("third-party contact"). It may also bar you from the person's home, work, or other locations. The exact terms are in the order, and they are often broad. If you are unsure whether something is allowed, assume it is not until your lawyer confirms.

The Critical Point: Violations Are a New Crime

This is what surprises people most. Violating a DANCO is a separate criminal offense — and it does not matter if the protected person reached out to you first, invited you over, or wanted the contact. The order binds you, not them. Responding to a "come over" text can itself be a new charge. Repeat violations can be charged at a higher level. Many people turn a defensible underlying case into a far worse situation by violating a DANCO.

DANCO vs. OFP vs. HRO

• DANCO: Issued in a criminal case involving domestic-related charges; controlled by the criminal court.
• OFP (Order for Protection): A civil order under the Domestic Abuse Act, requested by the protected person.
• HRO (Harassment Restraining Order): A civil order addressing harassment, not limited to domestic relationships.

It is common to have overlapping orders — for example, a DANCO in the criminal case and an OFP in a civil case at the same time. (See our full comparison: DANCO vs. OFP vs. HRO.)

How a DANCO Affects Your Life

A DANCO can keep you out of your own home, separate you from children, and complicate work and daily life. If the protected person shares a home or children with you, the practical effects can be severe. There are limited, lawful ways to address parenting time and contact issues — but they must go through the proper channels, not informal contact. (See our page on how a DANCO can affect parenting time.)

What You Can Do

Follow the order exactly while your lawyer works on the case. A DANCO can sometimes be challenged, modified, or lifted through the court — but only through the proper process, never by ignoring it. (See our page on whether a DANCO can be lifted or modified.)

Key Terms

• DANCO: Domestic Abuse No Contact Order, issued in a criminal case.
• No contact: A prohibition on all forms of contact, direct and indirect.
• Third-party contact: Contact passed through another person, which is still prohibited.
• OFP / HRO: Civil protective orders that are separate from a DANCO.
• Condition of release: A rule, like a DANCO, imposed while a case is pending.