Protection Orders
Protection Orders
A Protection Order is a type of "restraining order" that you, (the petitioner), can file against another person, (the respondent), if you believe you have been a victim of domestic violence by the other person. Because it is a civil order, you can file this type of order even if the police have never been called or there has never been a domestic violence conviction.
While a criminal no contact order will be entered in a criminal case, there are reasons a person may also want to seek a civil protection order. For example, if a criminal case is dismissed, the criminal no contact order will no longer be in effect, but a civil protection order would.
Various types of civil protection orders exist to address specific situations. If you need help determining which type of order best fits your situation or help seeking a protection order, you can get help from the Crystal Judson Family Justice Center.
Ph: (253) 798-4166 - Helpline
Ph: (253) 798-4310
Fx: (253) 798-4320
http://www.aplaceofhelp.com/
Safety Planning
Not every abuser responds to being served with a Protection Order the same way.
Please consider these questions when thinking about your safety plan and when filing for an order:
- How do you think the respondent will react to being served the order? Do you feel like you will be in more danger if you file the order or that things will get worse?
- Is the respondent afraid of getting in trouble with the law or do they think they are "above the law"?
- Have you ever left or sought help before? How did the respondent react? Has the respondent threatened that they will harm you if you ever seek help or call the police?
- Because the respondent must be served with your order to make it enforceable - would it be safer for the police to serve it? A Process server? Or having a friend or family member who is over the age of 18 serve it? Most orders are served by law enforcement at the respondent's home but they can also be served at a workplace.
- If you have children, are there ways you can have the respondent served so that it does not occur in front of your children?
The Crystal Judson Family Justice Center can help you with safety planning. You can visit them here: http://www.aplaceofhelp.com/ or call (253) 798-4166.
Types of Protection Orders
Various types of civil protection orders exist to address specific situations. If you need help determining which type of order best fits your situation or help seeking a protection order, you can get help from the Crystal Judson Family Justice Center.
Ph: (253) 798-4166 - Helpline
Ph: (253) 798-4310
Fx: (253) 798-4320
http://www.aplaceofhelp.com/
| Domestic Violence Protection Order | May be filed by someone who is experiencing physical harm, bodily injury, assault, stalking, sexual assault OR who fears imminent physical harm or bodily injury by a family or household member. Downloadable forms can be found, here: http://www.courts.wa.gov/forms/?fa=forms.contribute&formID=16 |
| Anti-harassment Protection Order | May be filed against someone who has engaged in a willful course of conduct that is unlawful or harassing and that seriously alarms, annoys or causes emotional distress and that serves no lawful purpose. Downloadable forms can be found, here: http://www.courts.wa.gov/forms/?fa=forms.contribute&formID=2 |
| Vulnerable Adult Protection Order | May be filed by a vulnerable adult, a guardian or “interested third party” against someone is accused of abandonment, abuse, financial exploitation or neglect or against someone who threatens to commit abandonment, abuse, financial exploitation or neglect. Downloadable forms can be found, here: http://www.courts.wa.gov/forms/?fa=forms.contribute&formID=70 |
| Stalking Protection Order | May be filed by someone who is experiencing stalking conduct by someone who is NOT a family or household member. Downloadable forms can be found, here: http://www.courts.wa.gov/forms/?fa=forms.contribute&formID=94 |
| Sexual Assault Protection Order | May be filed by someone who is experiencing nonconsensual sexual conduct or nonconsensual sexual penetration by someone who is NOT a family or household member. A single incident is sufficient to pursue a SAPO. Additional information and downloadable forms can be found, here: http://www.courts.wa.gov/forms/?fa=forms.contribute&formID=65 |
| Extreme Risk Protection Order | May be filed by a family or household member or law enforcement against someone they believe poses a significant danger to self or others by having access to, the ability to purchase or receive, or actual possession of a firearm. Downloadable forms can be found, here: http://www.courts.wa.gov/forms/?fa=forms.contribute&formID=106 |
Extreme Risk Protection Orders
If you believe someone in your family or household poses a significant danger to themselves or to someone else by having access to, the ability to purchase or receive, or actual possession of a firearm, you may wish to seek an Extreme Risk Protection Order. The only relief that an Extreme Risk Protection Order provides is the surrender and prohibition of firearms. It does not include any other protections.
Downloadable forms can be found, here: http://www.courts.wa.gov/forms/?fa=forms.contribute&formID=106.