To document evidence for a restraining order, photograph every incident, threatening message, unwanted appearance, and any property damage with the date and location visible if possible. SnapProof stamps each capture with a verified timestamp, GPS, and a cryptographic fingerprint designed to detect later edits, giving judges independently verifiable photo evidence of a pattern.
Courts require proof of a pattern. Here's how to build it.
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Documented pattern of incidents
What Courts Need to Grant a Restraining Order
Judges don't grant restraining orders based on a single incident or a feeling. They need evidence showing a pattern of behavior that makes you fear for your safety. The stronger and more organized your documentation, the more likely you are to be protected. If abuse is involved, see our guide on domestic violence evidence.
What to Document
✓Threatening messages — texts, emails, voicemails, social media messages, notes left on your car or door
✓Unwanted contact — showing up at your home, workplace, school, or places you frequent
✓Following or surveillance — seeing them in places they have no reason to be
✓Property damage — anything they've broken, vandalized, or tampered with
✓Witnesses — names and contact info of anyone who saw incidents
✓Physical evidence — injuries, damaged locks, items left at your door
✓Timeline — every incident with exact dates, times, and locations
How to Build a Pattern
One incident can be dismissed. Ten timestamped, location-verified incidents over three weeks is a pattern no judge can ignore. For every incident, capture photos or video in the moment with verified timestamps and GPS. Keep a written log noting what happened, when, and how it made you feel. Save all digital communication — screenshot everything.
Mar 1📱 Threatening texts
Mar 4🚗 Showed up at work
Mar 8📸 Property damage
Mar 12📱 Voicemail threats
Mar 15👁️ Following to store
Multiple documented incidents build an undeniable pattern
Safety First
Your physical safety comes before documentation. Never put yourself in danger to capture evidence. If you're in immediate danger, call 911 first. Document when it's safe to do so. Use an evidence app on your phone so you're always ready without needing to plan.
Common Mistakes
⚠Filing too early with weak evidence — one incident rarely gets a restraining order granted
⚠Not including dates and times — "he keeps showing up" is weaker than 12 specific dated incidents
⚠Relying on memory instead of documentation — write it down and photograph everything as it happens
⚠Sharing your evidence strategy with the person — keep your documentation private
⚠Not backing up your evidence — phone theft or damage could erase everything
What Your Attorney Needs
A chronological evidence package: every incident documented with verified timestamps, GPS data, photos or screenshots, and your written account. Organized by date in a shareable format. This is what gets restraining orders granted.
FAQ
There's no minimum, but patterns are stronger. Courts want to see repeated behavior. Document every single incident, no matter how small.
Yes. Screenshot them using an evidence app that adds a verified timestamp. Plain screenshots can be questioned.
GPS-verified evidence actually strengthens your case — it shows the person is following you to multiple locations.
