Last reviewed . Law current as of October 2026.
A TRO is a short-term order a judge issues after hearing only the person who filed. An FRO is entered only after a hearing where both sides can present evidence, and it has no expiration date. The TRO usually lasts until the FRO hearing, which is generally held within 10 days.
Key takeaways
- A TRO is temporary and issued without your side being heard.
- An FRO follows a full hearing and has no expiration date.
- When the Superior Court is closed, a municipal judge can issue a TRO.
What's the difference between a TRO and an FRO?
| TRO | FRO | |
|---|---|---|
| Statute | 2C:25-28 | 2C:25-29 |
| Hearing | Ex parte (one side) | Both sides, with testimony and cross-examination |
| Issued by | Family Part judge; municipal judge when the Superior Court is closed | Family Part judge |
| Standard | Necessary to protect the plaintiff's life, health, or well-being | Predicate act by a preponderance of the evidence, plus need for protection |
| Length | Until the FRO hearing or dismissal | No expiration; until dissolved |
| Violation | Contempt (2C:29-9(b)) | Contempt (2C:29-9(b)) |
Why does the difference between a TRO and an FRO matter?
The TRO is temporary and issued without your side being heard. The FRO is the decision that lasts. The time between them is your window to prepare. See served with a TRO.
Related guides
- Served with a TRO
Just served with a temporary restraining order in New Jersey? What the order means, what not to do, how to prepare for the FRO hearing in about 10 days, and how to get your belongings.
- The FRO hearing
How a New Jersey final restraining order hearing works: the Silver two-step test, evidence and witnesses, testifying when there is a criminal case, decisions, and appeals.
- Contempt of a restraining order
Charged with violating a TRO or FRO in New Jersey? When contempt is a fourth-degree crime or a disorderly persons offense under N.J.S.A. 2C:29-9(b), and how these charges are defended.
- Coercive control
New Jersey added coercive control as a factor in restraining order decisions in January 2024. What it is, what it is not (a crime or predicate act), and how it affects FRO hearings.
Frequently asked questions
Can a TRO become permanent without a hearing?
An FRO requires a hearing. If you do not appear, the judge can proceed without you.
Does an FRO ever expire?
No. It stays in effect until a judge dissolves it.
Where we handle these cases
Essex County · Hudson County · Bergen County · Passaic County · Union County · Middlesex County · Monmouth County · Morris County · Ocean County · Mercer County · Somerset County · Hunterdon County · Sussex County · Warren County
Sources
This page provides general information about New Jersey law. It is not legal advice, and reading it or contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different and no outcome is guaranteed.