Ways to protect a red flag applicant's identity

When you apply for an emergency prohibition order or an emergency limitations on access order, there are ways that your identity or the identity of anyone you know can be protected. When you make a "red flag" law application, the person the order is against will not be notified of the application and will not be present at the hearing. The person subject to the order will only be notified of the order if the judge grants it. The judge may also decide to close the hearing to public and media.

You can apply to the court to have information identifying you or anyone you know removed from documents for any period, or sealed for the length of the emergency order. The court will determine whether this is needed to protect you or anyone you know.

During an emergency order, the court can set another hearing for a longer order. If they do, the person will be notified and may be present for it. If identifying information was protected during the emergency order, it will continue to be protected at least until the hearing for the longer order is complete.

If the court had permanently removed identifying information, it will remain removed.

Anyone can apply for access to removed or sealed information, or change how the information is protected, such as by changing how long the information is protected for. The court may choose to accept or deny the application.

For more information on red flag laws and these protections, contact your local court. Learn more about "red flag" laws and how they can help prevent firearms violence.