Protection Orders Overview


Nature of Proceeding
This is a civil as opposed to criminal proceeding.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who may obtain a Protection Order

Any person who fears violence from a "family or household member”, ( as defined in RCW 26.50.110) or who has been the victim of physical harm or fears imminent physical harm, or stalking from a "family or household member" may seek a protection order. Minors under the age of 16 may petition the court for a protection order with the assistance of a parent or guardian.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jurisdiction

District, Municipal, or Superior Court have jurisdiction to hear Petitions for a Protection Order. A Domestic violence Protection Order is limited to Superior Court if Superior Court has a family law action pending, or if the case involves children or an order to vacate a home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How does the respondent receive notice?

Notice must be personally served on the respondent. Notice by certified mail, or publication is authorized in limited circumstances.

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost to Petitioner

No filing or service fees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Respondent consequences if order is knowingly violated:

Violation of the Domestic Violence Protection Order will subject the respondent to arrest and potential criminal charges. If the violation of the restraining order consists of assault or reckless endangerment, it is a Class C felony. Otherwise, violation of a Domestic Violence Restraining Order is a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maximum Duration of Order

The duration of a protection order is in the discretion of the court. Ordinarily, the duration of a protection order is one year. The court does have the authority to enter a permanent protection order. A petitioner can ask the court to extend the Domestic Violence Protection Order for another year prior to its expiration.










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anti-Harassment:

This is a civil as opposed to a criminal proceeding that is controlled by RCW 10.14.

Who May Obtain a Anti-Harassment  Protection Order:

A person who has been “seriously alarmed, annoyed or harassed by conduct of another person which serves no legitimate or lawful purpose" may seek an anti-harassment protection order. Parties generally are not married, have not lived together, and have no children in common. An Anti-Harassment Protection Order is a special type of restraining order which is available only to victims of harassment. It is a civil order of the court telling the person who harassed you not to bother you again.


The police are notified of your Anti-Harassment Protection Order and the Order is fully enforceable in any county in the State.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outcomes
An Anti-Harassment Protection order can:

  •  Restrain the respondent from contacting you;

  • Restrain the respondent from keeping you under surveillance;

  • Require the respondent to stay a stated distance away from your home or workplace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Jurisdiction:

Jurisdiction for anti-harassment orders is in District Court. There are limited provisions for referring cases to Superior Court. For example, District Court must transfer the proceedings to Superior Court when the respondent is under 18 years of age.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost to Petitioner

The filing fee is currently $53.00. There may also be a charge for having copies delivered (served on) the respondent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How does the Respondent Receive Notice?

Notice must be served on respondent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Respondent Consequences if Order is Knowingly Violated:

Violation of the anti-harassment protection order will subject the respondent to arrest and potential criminal charges. The respondent may also be found in contempt of court for knowingly violating the order. Violation of an anti-harassment protection order is a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maximum duration of Anti-Harassment Protection Order:

Ordinarily, the duration of an anti-harassment order is one year. The court does have the authority to enter a permanent anti-harassment under extraordinary circumstances.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Protection Order Attorneys

 

Please contact us if you are in need of, or have questions regarding Anti-Harassment Protection Orders.