DANCO (Domestic Abuse No-Contact Order)
A court order in a Minnesota criminal case that prohibits the defendant from contacting the alleged victim of domestic abuse.
A DANCO is a Domestic Abuse No-Contact Order issued by a judge in a Minnesota criminal case. When someone is charged with a crime involving domestic abuse, the court typically issues a DANCO at the first court appearance. The order prohibits the defendant from having any contact with the alleged victim, including in person, by phone, by text, through social media, or through a third party.
A DANCO is different from an Order for Protection, or OFP. An OFP is a civil court order that the victim requests. A DANCO is part of a criminal case and is ordered by the judge, often without the victim asking for it. The two can exist at the same time, but they come from different parts of the court system. A key difference: violating a DANCO is a separate crime in Minnesota under Minn. Stat. 629.75, which can result in additional criminal charges on top of the original case.
A DANCO stays in effect until the judge lifts it or the criminal case is resolved. In some situations, the alleged victim may ask the court to modify or remove the DANCO, but the judge makes the final decision. Even if the victim wants contact, the defendant can still be charged with a crime for violating the order. The order binds the defendant, not the victim.
Why it matters: A DANCO can have a major impact on daily life, especially if the defendant and the alleged victim live together or share children. Violating a DANCO, even with a simple text message, is a separate criminal offense that can lead to arrest and new charges. Understanding what the order prohibits and following it strictly is critical.
Example: Kevin is arrested after a domestic dispute with his spouse. At his first court appearance, the judge issues a DANCO ordering Kevin to have no contact with his spouse. Kevin moves in with a friend. A week later, Kevin sends his spouse a text asking about picking up clothes from the house. Even though the message seems harmless, it violates the DANCO. Kevin is arrested and charged with a new crime for the violation.
When someone is charged with a domestic abuse crime and the court issues a no-contact order