How must an order of protection be served?

• A. It must be read verbatim (word-for-word)
• B. It can be read in summary form
• C. It can be delivered via email
• D. It must be posted on the door

Answer: (A)

The key idea is to provide the exact terms of the protection order to the person it affects so there is no misunderstanding about what is prohibited or required. Reading the order verbatim ensures every prohibition, condition, and time frame is communicated in full, not left to memory or paraphrase. This exact delivery protects due process and creates a clear, verifiable notice for enforcement—if the respondent truly hears every word, there’s less room for dispute about what was or wasn’t allowed. Reading it word-for-word also reduces the chance that important details could be missed or misinterpreted.

Other methods, like giving a summary, emailing the order, or posting it on a door, may fail to ensure the respondent actually receives and understands the precise terms, and they often don’t satisfy service requirements that rely on personal, direct communication of the exact terms.