What class felony is the criminal violation of a protective order?

• A. Class D
• B. Class A
• C. Class B
• D. Class C

Answer: (A)

A protective order is a court-ordered safeguard designed to protect someone from harm, and violating it is treated as a serious crime because it directly undermines the court’s protection and endangers the protected person. In this jurisdiction, that violation is classified as a Class A felony, which is the highest level of felony in the system and carries the most severe penalties within the felony range. The designation reflects the gravity of knowingly disobeying a court order meant to keep someone safe, especially when the order is in place to prevent harm or violence. Lower felony classes or misdemeanors are reserved for offenses considered less dangerous or less likely to result in serious harm, which is why they don’t fit this offense as well.