DVROs Are Civil, Not Criminal A Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO) in California is issued in family law court, not criminal court. That means it’s a civil order, not a criminal conviction. Having a DVRO does not automatically give you a criminal record. Judges can grant these orders if they find, by a preponderance of the evidence, that abuse or threats occurred. This standard is far lower than in criminal court, which requires proof “beyond a reasonable doubt.” Although a