ORDERS OF PROTECTION

Protection Orders may help to protect against family violence

Filing for a Domestic Violence Order

Filing for a Domestic Violence Order - Vietnamese

Filing for a Domestic Violence Order - Somali

Filing for a Domestic Violence Order - Russian

Filing for a Domestic Violence Order - Spanish

Protection Order

A Domestic Violence Protection Order is a civil order from the court telling the family or household member who threatened or assaulted you not to harm you again.

A protection order can:

1. Order the Respondent not to threaten or hurt you.
2. Order the Respondent not to enter your residence.
3. Give one parent temporary custody of children.
4. Set a schedule for visitation with minor children.
5. Order the Respondent to leave a shared residence.
6. Grant you possession of essential personal effects.
7. Grant you use of a vehicle.
8. Order the Respondent to attend counseling.

A protection order cannot:

1. Order child support.
2. Order maintenance (alimony).
3. Assign most property to either party.
4. Establish permanent child custody or use of the shared residence.

Petitions for Orders of Protection may be filed at the Court Monday through Friday, after 8:30 am. Ask the Court Clerk for the forms to request an order for protection. After the forms are filled out, you will speak to a judge about your case. If there is an emergency, a temporary order that is good for up to 14 days will be issued. A hearing will be set within 14 days and the Respondent will be given notice of that hearing. At the hearing the court will decide if the order should be made effective for one year or longer.

 
Click here for the following link for Guidelines for Domestic Violence Protection

Click here for more information on the Domestic Violence Protection Order Process

Click here for a Safety Plan for Domestic Violence.

Click here for the Domestic Violence Advocate.

Click here for General information on Domestic Violence.

Click here for the King County Domestic Violence Information Pages. 

If you are the victim of domestic violence, you may also obtain assistance from the Domestic Violence Hotline (800) 562-6025.

The information, list of forms, and external links contained on this page are not intended as legal advice and are provided for reference purposes only.