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Violating a Protective Order in Kansas

How Kansas law treats violating a restraining order: what is illegal, whether it is a misdemeanor or felony, and the penalties, from the state code.

Short answer: Knowingly violating a protection from abuse order, a protection from stalking, sexual assault or human trafficking order, a qualifying out-of-state or tribal protective order, a family-court restraining order, or a no-contact condition of release, probation or postrelease supervision is… K.S.A. 21-5924, 21-6602, 21-6611

Violating a restraining orderKnowingly violating a protection from abuse order, a protection from stalking, sexual assault or human trafficking order, a qualifying out-of-state or tribal protective order, a family-court restraining order, or a no-contact condition of release, probation or postrelease supervision is violation of a protective order, a class A person misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a $2,500 fine. Violating an extended protective order (one a court extended, for at least one more year and up to the defendant's lifetime, after finding the defendant violated a protection order or was convicted of a person felony) is a severity level 6 person felony.
Extended orders: https://ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch60/060_031_0007.html (e)(2); stalking orders: K.S.A. 60-31a06(d). Kansas felony sentences depend on the severity level and the person's criminal history on the sentencing grid (K.S.A. 21-6804 nondrug grid: https://ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch21/021_068_0004.html). Misdemeanors: class A up to 1 year and $2,500, class B up to 6 months and $1,000 (https://ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch21/021_066_0002.html ; https://ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch21/021_066_0011.html).

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FAQ

What happens if you violate a restraining order in Kansas?
Knowingly violating a protection from abuse order, a protection from stalking, sexual assault or human trafficking order, a qualifying out-of-state or tribal protective order, a family-court restraining order, or a no-contact condition of release, probation or postrelease supervision is violation of a protective order, a class A person misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a $2,500 fine. Violating an extended protective order (one a court extended, for at least one more year and up to the defendant's lifetime, after finding the defendant violated a protection order or was convicted of a person felony) is a severity level 6 person felony.
Can I get a court-appointed lawyer for violating a restraining order in Kansas?
Kansas's rule on court-appointed lawyers: A defendant who claims to be unable to afford counsel files an affidavit in the form set by the State Board of Indigents' Defense Services; the court may question the defendant under oath and investigate finances. The court considers the defendant's assets and income, necessary expenses for the defendant and immediate family, the anticipated cost of effective representation by employed counsel, and property transferred without adequate consideration after the alleged crime. If the defendant cannot cover the anticipated cost, the defendant is determined indigent in full or in part and counsel is appointed. The determination may be reviewed at any time. A defendant applying for appointed counsel must pay an application fee of $100 to the clerk of the district court, which the court may waive in whole or in part. K.S.A. 22-4504(a), (b), (e), (f); 22-4529
What happens after an arrest for violating a restraining order in Kansas?
How release before trial works in Kansas: A person charged with a crime shall be released at the first appearance before a magistrate on an appearance bond sufficient to assure appearance and public safety. Bonds may be surety bonds (with sufficient solvent Kansas-resident sureties), cash deposits, or own-recognizance bonds; for bonds of $2,500 or less on certain lower-level offenses a 10% cash deposit may be allowed if listed qualifications are met. Conditions can include no contact with the alleged victim for at least 72 hours in person-crime cases, custody with a designated person, travel or association limits, house arrest and court services supervision. In setting the bond the magistrate considers the nature and circumstances of the crime, the weight of the evidence, whether the defendant is lawfully present in the United States, family ties, employment, finances, character, mental condition, length of residence, criminal record, appearance history, the likelihood of new crimes or threats to victims or witnesses, and whether the defendant was on probation or parole. A detained person may apply for review of release conditions, which must occur without unnecessary delay. Defendants charged with sex offenses who have a prior sexually violent crime conviction must have a bond of at least $750,000. K.S.A. 22-2802(a)-(j), (p) (last amended L. 2025, ch. 120, § 6) What happens after an arrest.
Can a conviction for violating a restraining order be removed from my record in Kansas?
Each state sets its own rules for sealing or expunging records. See Kansas expungement and record sealing rules.

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.