What is a no-contact order and how strict is it?

A no-contact order prohibits contact with a specified person. What people underestimate is how completely.

It typically covers calls, texts, email, social media, messages through a mutual friend or family member, and physical presence. Indirect contact counts — asking your sister to pass along a message is a violation. So is liking a post or sending money.

It usually covers presence as well. Being at a shared residence, a workplace, or a location where the person is can violate it even without any interaction.

The part that catches the most people: it doesn't matter who initiated. If the protected person calls you, texts you, or shows up, responding can still violate the order. The order binds you, not them.

Violating it is a separate offense on top of the underlying case, and it's the single most common way people in domestic cases make their situation substantially worse.