Headline: L.A. County’s Restraining Order System Fails Domestic Violence Victims
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Headline: L.A. County's Restraining Order System Fails Domestic Violence Victims
- First Key Takeaway: In 2025, Los Angeles County courts dismissed 57% of nearly 15,000 domestic violence restraining order petitions due to procedural delays, a rate significantly higher than the statewide average of 29%.
- Second Key Takeaway: Nora Villanueva Campanor was abducted and killed by her abusive husband, Jesse Carrillo, in 2024, despite having been granted a temporary restraining order.
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A recent investigation has highlighted significant failures within Los Angeles County’s system for granting and enforcing restraining orders, leaving victims of domestic violence vulnerable. The investigation found that in 2024 and 2025, former partners or close relatives were implicated in the deaths of at least 63 women in L.A. County, accounting for over 40% of the 156 women slain during that period. At least ten of these women had previously filed for restraining orders, with four having their requests granted by judges.
One such case is that of Nora Villanueva Campanor, who was abducted and killed by her abusive husband, Jesse Carrillo, in 2024, even after a temporary restraining order had been issued in her favor. Campanor had reported to authorities that Carrillo had sexually assaulted her, threatened her with a machete, and repeatedly vowed to kill her. She was granted a temporary restraining order on April 22, 2024, which included restrictions on contact and proximity, but it required physical service to Carrillo to go into full effect.
The L.A. County restraining order system is described as “riddled with barriers and drop-out points,” making it difficult for victims to navigate. Many applicants are self-represented and must contend with complex paperwork, evidence collection, and court hearings, often while managing abuse and other life responsibilities. In 2025, L.A. County courts received almost 15,000 petitions for domestic violence restraining orders, but 57% were dismissed due to procedural delays from the applicant, the highest dismissal rate in California, compared to the statewide rate of 29%. Experts suggest L.A.’s higher rate may be due to the volume of requests, limited legal assistance, and the challenges of a system spread across many courthouses and law enforcement agencies.
While restraining orders can be effective in reducing the risk of future violence in many cases, they are not a universal solution. Emergency Protective Orders (EPOs) provide immediate, short-term protection, typically lasting up to seven days, and require law enforcement to contact an on-call judge. Temporary Restraining Orders (TROs) can last 15 to 25 days until a court hearing, after which a Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO) may be issued for up to five years. Violating a restraining order is a serious offense, typically a misdemeanor, which can result in jail time and fines.