Domestic and Dating Violence Civil Protection Orders (2024)

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A protection order can help keep you safe if you are experiencing domestic violence or dating violence. Learn more about getting a Domestic Violence or Dating Violence Civil Protection Orders in Montgomery County.

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Understanding the Basics

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Montgomery County Domestic Relations Court has a dedicated staff person, the Public Coordinator for Domestic Violence, to assist unrepresented parties who are filing for a Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order.If you plan to file without a lawyer, you can go to the Domestic Relations Court in person, where the Public Coordinator will provide the forms and walk you through the filing process. The Public Coordinator can not provide legal advice or tell you what to write on your forms. We do not offer the Montgomery County Domestic and Dating Violence Civil Protection Order Forms on this website.

You may also be able to get assistance from a local domestic violence advocate or legal aid. Go to "Legal Help and Lawyers" and "Local Government and Community Resources" to see organizations in Montgomery County that may be able to help.

What is a protection order?

A protection order is an official document from the Court. When a court issues a protection order, they are ordering the "Respondent" (the person you allege to have committed the act of domestic violence) to stop certain actions which help keep you safe.The protection order can tell the Respondent to stop actions like:

  • Hurting you
  • Threatening you
  • Contacting you
  • Coming to your home or workplace

There are different types of protection orders in Ohio, including civil, criminal and temporary protection orders. Learn more about the different kinds of protection orders in Ohio at Ohio Legal Help.

  • A Domestic Violence Civil Protection Orderprotects you from threats or violence from a family or household member.
  • A Dating Violence Civil Protection Orderprotects you from threats or violence from someone you are or were recently dating. The Court defines dating as a mutual, romantic or intimate relationship with an adultwho is not part of your household. The relationship must have happened within the past year.

Remember that filing for a civil protection order does not guarantee your safety.

If you have a criminal protection order in place and are interested in a civil protection order,you are encouraged to speak with a lawyer to understand how filing could affect your safety and how it could end your criminal protection order.

How to get a Domestic Violence or Dating Violence Civil Protection Order in Montgomery County

To get a Domestic Violence or Dating Violence Civil Protection order:

  • Consider talking to an expert.Before you file, you may want to talk to anadvocate from a localdomestic violence organization or an experienced lawyer. You can find local domestic violence organizations under "Local Government and Community Resources" and organizations that can connect you with an attorney under "Legal Help and Lawyers." Advocates and lawyers can help you understand any additional risks you might have, connect you with services andhelp you complete the forms. Advocates may also be able to go to court with you.
  • Go to the Montgomery County Domestic Relations Court and see the Public Coordinator for Domestic Violence.The Public Coordinator will provide you with the forms and walk you through the process of filing the forms for the civil protection order. The Public Coordinator cannot provide any legal advice or help you decide what information to write on your forms.
  • Attend theex partehearing.On the day that you file, the Court will hold an emergency hearing, called an "ex parte" hearing. The Respondentdoes not attend the ex parte hearing. At this hearing, you (and your lawyer, if you have one) meet with the Judge. The Judge reviews your forms and may ask you some questions. Then, the Judge decides whether or not to issue anemergency "ex parte" protection order that starts immediately.
  • Complete service.“Service” is when the Court officially tells the Respondentabout your filing. When you fill out your civil protection order forms, you will complete the “Request for Service” on the last page of the petition. This is where you will tell the Court how you’d like service to be completed, through in-person service by the Sheriff (required) or both certified mail and personal service by the Sheriff. After you file, you will need to follow up with the Clerk’s office to make sure that service was completed.Your case cannot be heard at the full hearing until service has been completed.
  • Attend the full hearing.Whether or not you are given the emergency, "ex parte" protection order, the Court will hold a full hearing, usually within 7 or 10 business days, that the Respondent may attend. At the full hearing, you testify and presentevidenceincluding any witnesses to show the judge why you need a protection order.You must show that there has been a recent threatening or violent act and that there is a danger of future violence.A lawyer can help you prepareevidence.If you want protection for your children or other family or household members, you must show why they are in danger, too. The Respondent also has a chance to present evidence.
  • Be careful with consent agreements.A “consent agreement” is where the parties negotiate and agree to the terms of the protection order. Unlike with a regular protection order, getting a consent agreement means that the Court does not make a finding that the violence occurred, only that the parties agreed to the order. Some Courts may consider a “mutual stay away order” which is different than a consent agreement. If the other party wants to negotiate a consent agreement or “mutual stay away,”you may want to consider speaking with a lawyer first to see if it could put you at legal risk.
  • Get a court order. If the Court decides to grantthe civil protection order, it will be issued at the end of the hearing. Keep your protection order with you in case you need to call the police to enforce it. Give copies to people who may need it (like your child’s school or local law enforcement). You can also share it with your employer if you feel comfortable disclosing that information.

How to enforce a protection order

If the Respondent breaks the rules of a civil protection order, it is a “violation of the protection order” and they can be arrested or face other consequences.

If there is a violation of a civil or criminal protection order:

  • Call the police. The police can enforce protection orders by arresting the violator.
  • The police or prosecutor can file criminal charges. If convicted, the Respondentcan face fines, probation, or jail time.
  • For civil protection orders, the Court that issued the order could also find the Respondent in Contempt of Court. When someone violates a civil protection order, you can ask the Court that issued the order to find them in contempt. If found in contempt, the Respondentcan face fines or jail time. Filing for contempt is complicated,consider talking to a lawyer or advocate before filing.

Forms and Letters

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There are no forms related to this topic.

Legal Help and Lawyers

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Dayton Bar Association LRSThe Dayton Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service provides help by connecting you to a local lawyer that can help you with your issue or case.
Ohio State Bar AssociationThe Ohio State Bar Association helps to connect the public with useful legal information and services.

Local Government and Community Resources

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Montgomery County Law LibraryThe County Law Library is open to the general public but cannot provide legal referrals and/or legal advice.
Montgomery County Clerk of CourtsThe Clerk of Court helps provide public access to court records and receives, distributes and preserves official court documents.
Montgomery County Common Pleas Court Domestic Relations DivisionThe Domestic Relations Court hears cases involving divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, domestic violence civil protection order petitions, spousal support, custody of minor children and...
Ohio Domestic Violence NetworkThe Ohio Domestic Violence Network offers resources to domestic violence survivors throughout all of Ohio.
Artemis CenterArtemis Center provides survivors of domestic violence (and their children) with crisis intervention, safety planning, education, and support.
Dayton Metro LibraryThe public library is a free source for information for anyone living in the area. The library allows anyone with a library card to check out books, movies, music and more. You can also receive help...
Domestic and Dating Violence Civil Protection Orders (2024)

FAQs

What is a civil restraining order in Michigan? ›

A Personal Protection Order (PPO) is a court order to stop threats, violence or harassment against you. You can get a PPO to protect you from someone age 10 or older who is threatening, hurting, stalking, or harassing you.

How long does a TPO last in Ohio? ›

How long does the order last? The criminal protection order is good only as long as the related charge is pending. When the case is resolved, the order expires. A Civil Protection Order or Civil Stalking Protection Order can last up to five years and possibly be renewed for an additional five years.

What are the rules of a protective order in Virginia? ›

The protective order may be issued for any reasonable period of time, including up to the lifetime of the defendant, that the court deems necessary to protect the health and safety of the victim. The protective order shall expire at 11:59 p.m. on the last day specified in the protective order, if any.

What is an order of protection in Massachusetts? ›

Petitions for Emergency Protective Orders may be sought in cases where it can be shown that a delay would pose an immediate, serious risk to a victim's life, or jeopardize his/her immediate health or welfare. Such orders are effective for only seventy-two hours, but may be extended at the court's discretion.

What justifies a PPO in Michigan? ›

To get a domestic relationship PPO, you must show the judge that the abuser is likely to assault, threaten, harass, or stalk you. You must also show that you and the abuser have a domestic relationship. You have a domestic relationship with the abuser if they are: Your current or ex-spouse.

What proof do you need for a PPO in Michigan? ›

To get a Domestic Relationship PPO, you must prove that there is reasonable cause to believe that the abuser might physically hurt you, threaten you, stalk you, or do something else that interferes with your personal liberty or safety. Reasonable cause is a lower level of proof than what is required in a criminal case.

Does a protection order show up on a background check in Ohio? ›

It is also important to note that even though protective orders do not show up on criminal records, court proceedings and petitions are a matter of public record, so someone looking into the matter could potentially discover it.

What does TPO mean legally? ›

Temporary Protection Orders. Temporary protection orders ("TPO") protect victims of domestic violence from further violence at the hands of the alleged offender.

How much is a TPO in Ohio? ›

The filing process is generally two hours long and you must attend a hearing the day you file. You must have the name, address, and Date of Birth (at minimum) of the party you wish to file against. There is no cost to file for a protection order in the state of Ohio.

Can you be around someone with a protective order? ›

Any order of protection can order someone: To stay away from protected person and children and anywhere they frequent like work or school.

What is a motion for protective order in Ohio? ›

(A) Upon motion of any party or person from whom discovery is sought, the board or the administrative law judge may issue any order which is necessary to protect a party or person from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden or expense.

Does a protective order show up on background check in Virginia? ›

A protective order will show up in a criminal background search, which can be done by anyone quickly and cheaply. In addition, you will be denied a permit to carry a weapon if such a restraining order is in effect.

Can you fight a restraining order in Massachusetts? ›

It is extremely difficult to challenge a restraining order, but it is possible. No matter what the circumstances are, you need to fight a false restraining order issued with the help of an experienced attorney at the Bellotti Law Group, P.C.

What happens if the victim violates the order of protection in Massachusetts? ›

If a person violates a 209A restraining order in Massachusetts, the consequences might include: 2.5 years in jail; A fine of up to $5,000; or/and.

What is protective custody in Massachusetts? ›

The Massachusetts General Laws authorize protective custody for incapacitated persons (M.G.L. c. 111B, s. 8). Incapacitated persons include those intoxicated individuals that are unconscious, in need of medical attention, likely to suffer physical harm, or likely to cause physical harm.

What is considered harassment in Michigan? ›

(d) "Harassment" means conduct directed toward a victim that includes, but is not limited to, repeated or continuing unconsented contact that would cause a reasonable individual to suffer emotional distress and that actually causes the victim to suffer emotional distress.

Do restraining orders show up on background checks in Michigan? ›

Because the order itself is only a civil matter with potential criminal penalties, it will not appear on a report containing only convictions. However, employers can also use background checks that search state or county court records for matches to their applicant or employee.

What happens if you violate a PPO in Michigan? ›

Penalties for Violating a PPO in Michigan

The judge has the ability to send you to jail for up to 93 days as well as impose a fine of up to $500. It's important to note that if you violated a PPO for another state, you would still face the same penalties as if the PPO was in Michigan.

What is an ex parte mutual restraining order Michigan? ›

This means that the restraining orders are “ex parte” in nature and are ordered without the other party being heard on the issue. The primary purpose of restraining orders is to prevent the loss or dissipation or transfer of marital assets before they can be identified, valued, and divided.

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