A protective order is a document issued by a court to help you protect yourself from someone who is abusing or harassing you. A protective order is commonly referred to as a Temporary Protective Order, or TPO. TPOs are enforceable only after they are personally served on the defendant. There is no charge to apply for a TPO. This order will generally state that someone is prohibited from having contact with you. Only persons who have certain relationships can file for relief under the Family Violence Act. Those relationships include persons who are past or present spouses, persons who are parents of the same child, parents and children, and persons living or formerly living in the same household. Stalking victims - persons who have been followed, placed under surveillance, or been contacted by another without their consent and for the purpose of harassing and intimidating them - can petition for relief under the Stalking Statute.
THERE IS NO CHARGE TO APPLY FOR A TPO.
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