What is an Order of Protection?

An Order of Protection is a paper signed by a Judge to protect you from certain people who have hurt you or threatened you. You do not need a lawyer to get an Order of Protection. The following are things that you can ask for in an Order of Protection.

• To order the other person to stay away from you and your children.
• To give the police the power to arrest the person if they bother you.
• To make the other person move out of the house.
• To give you temporary custody of the children and establish child support and visitation.
• To establish spousal support.

The means of relief listed above are things that can be included in Orders of Protection. However, because every case is different, there are no guarantees of the relief that you will receive. If you are interested in obtaining an Order of Protection, please call or go to the Domestic Violence Program office to talk to someone in their court advocate department about your case

How can you get an Order of Protection?

Our staff is prepared to help you fill out the paperwork that is required to petition the court for an Order of Protection.  They will also explain to you the whole process in getting an Order of Protection and advise you whether you have good grounds for an Order of Protection before you file the petition.  Also, they will help you fill out an ExParte Order of Protection, asking the judge to provide a temporary Order of Protection that will act as a temporary Order of Protection until the day of court.

What other support is available?

Our staff is available to accompany you to court when you are scheduled to appear.  They will prepare you for court beforehand and will let you know what you need to do and what you need to bring.  They will stand before the judge when your case is announced and explain what you are there for and what you are seeking.

Our staff are not attorneys and will not be able to represent you as an attorney if your case does go to hearing.  However, our staff can help prepare you for your hearing and sit with you during the proceeding, if necessary.