Puerto Rico law

Domestic Violence Laws in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico's Act No. 54 of 1989 (Law for the Prevention of and Intervention in Domestic Violence) is a comprehensive domestic-violence statute. Puerto Rico provides civil Protection Orders (Órdenes de Protección) with immediate ex parte issuance and final orders up to 6 months (renewable). Puerto Rico criminalizes domestic violence as a separate offense with escalating penalties for repeat conduct. Federal firearm dispossession under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8) applies to qualifying orders.

Last verified: 2026-04-17

State law

Key Puerto Rico Statutes

Act No. 54 of 1989 (Domestic Violence)8 L.P.R.A. §§ 601 et seq. (Ley para la Prevención e Intervención con la Violencia Doméstica)

Puerto Rico's comprehensive domestic-violence statute. Authorizes civil Protection Orders (ex parte emergency issuance and full orders after hearing), criminalizes DV conduct, and establishes the Oficina de la Procuradora de las Mujeres for oversight.

Protection OrdersAct No. 54, Articles 3.2-3.5

Civil Protection Orders issue immediately ex parte with full orders after hearing lasting up to 6 months (renewable). Covers spouses, former spouses, cohabitants, dating partners, and persons with child in common.

Criminal DV PenaltiesAct No. 54, Articles 3.1-3.2

Criminalizes specific DV acts (physical abuse, intimidation, marital sexual assault). Escalating penalties for repeat offenses. Aggravating factors include weapon use, presence of minors.

Oficina de la Procuradora de las MujeresAct No. 20-2001

Women's Advocate Office oversees Act 54 implementation, coordinates services, and provides victim advocacy. Distinctive cabinet-level-equivalent role in PR government.

State law

Official Sources

PR Oficina de la Procuradora de las Mujeres Poder Judicial de Puerto Rico

Not Legal Advice

This page summarizes publicly available statutes and rules for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this content. Laws change — always verify with the primary source or consult a licensed attorney in Puerto Rico.

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Domestic Violence Laws in Puerto Rico.

Key Puerto Rico Statutes

Official Sources

Not Legal Advice

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