Protection Orders

What is a protective order?

A protective order is a civil court order that restricts the contact certain people may have with the "petitioner" (the person requesting the order). The person restricted by the order is called the "respondent."

A protective order is entirely separate from any criminal matter. If you wish to file a criminal complaint, you need to contact the Prosecutor's Office. Protective orders are now filed in the Clerk's Office.

The BEST place to visit for answers to protection order questions is The Self-Service Legal Center.

You can print your forms from the self-service website and bring them to the Clerk's Office.

The Clerk's Office also provides these forms at no cost.