Thank you for contacting our JA team for guidance.
Right. Neither party should contact the other when a restraining order is in place. Even though your friend may be late in responding to the petition, he should still respond and appear at the hearing so it is not automatically made permanent. Yes, your friend could also file a petition for a restraining order against the other party. A temporary order is usually granted if there are adequate grounds for it alleged by your friend. It can be made permanent (usually a year) after a hearing on the merits of the allegations.
Please let me know if you need additional information.
Best regards,
TK
Please press the "accept" button so I may be credited for my time when I have answered your question. I am available to answer follow-up questions or to clarify this answer. Thank You.
Lawyer
JD, 12 years experience including domestic law and general civil litigation