Who can be protected?

If you or your children are victims of "domestic violence" by a "family or household member," you can apply for an Order of Protection. 

Domestic Violence includes:

• Physical harm, bodily injury, assault or stalking
• Infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury or assault
• Sexual assault

Family or Household Member

• Spouse or former spouse
• Persons having a child in common
• Adult persons related by blood or marriage
• Adult persons who presently (or in the past) reside together
• Persons 16 years and older who have or had a dating relationship
• Persons who have a biological or legal parent-child relationship

What is an Order for Protection?

An Order for Protection is a civil order that restrains the person who has been committing acts of violence from further acts of assault or threat.

An Order for Protection Can:

• Restrain a respondent from committing acts of domestic violence
• Exclude a respondent from petitioner's residence shared by petitioner and respondent
• Prohibit respondent from harassment and/or contacting the petitioner (on the street, by mail, by telephone, at school, at work)
• Award temporary custody of minor children to one parent, establish temporary visitation and restrain one parent from interfering with custody
• Order respondent to participate in treatment or counseling
• Prohibit respondent from removing the children from the jurisdiction of the court
• Order respondent to pay for the costs incurred in obtaining the order

An Order for Protection Cannot:

• Order child support
• Order maintenance income
• Assign property to either party
• Establish permanent child custody or use of family home

How do I get an Order of Protection?

You can file for a Temporary Order for Protection at the district or municipal court nearest you or at the King County Superior Court. Under certain conditions your Temporary Order for Protection may be transferred to Superior Court for the Full Order hearing. There are advocates available to assist you ONLY at the Protection Order Advocacy Programs established at the King County Courthouse, the Regional Justice Center, and Northeast District Courts. For information call the Protection Order Advocacy Program:

• Seattle: 206-296-9547
• Kent: 206-205-7406
• Northeast District Court: 206-205-7012

Superior Court Locations:

King County Courthouse, Room W554
516 Third Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104-2312
206-296-9547
FAX: 206-205-8329
TTY: 206-205-6198

Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center, Kent (South King County)
401 Fourth Avenue, Room 2B
Kent, WA 98032-4429
206-205-7406

King County District Court Locations:
To locate the King County District Court located near you, please visit their web site: King County District Courts.

What will happen in the protection order process?

You will fill out the forms and ask (petition) the court for a Temporary Order for Protection. You will be asked to describe the most recent incident and/or threat of domestic violence and a history of domestic violence. You will need to know the respondent's address and birthdate. A judge or commissioner will review your paperwork, may ask you some questions, and decide whether to grant or deny the Temporary Order for Protection. A hearing will be held in approximately two weeks, at which time the court will grant or deny an Order for Protection effective for one year or more. During these two weeks the respondent is served with both the Petition and the Temporary Order with notice of the date set for the hearing.

Full Order for Protection

At this hearing the court will grant or deny an Order for Protection effective for one year or more. It is important to come to this hearing even if the respondent has not been served. The court will ask you and the respondent to talk about the abuse and/or threats described in the Petition. You have the right (but do not need) to have an attorney present.

Helpful hints:

• Be on time
• Bring all your paperwork
• Do not bring you children
• Talk directly to the judge, not the respondent
• Tell the truth
• Be courteous, sincere and speak clearly
• Bring police reports and affidavits

The process may take 2-4 hours so please arrange for child care if possible.

What is the cost of the Order for Protection?

There is no filing fee. You will be provided with the necessary number of certified copies of the order at no cost to you.

How do I make changes in or drop the Order for Protection?

Anytime prior to the expiration date of the Order for Protection, you may return to the court and request that the order be modified or terminated. Call 206-296-9547 (Seattle) or 206-205-7406 (Kent) for information.

What happens if the Order for Protection is violated?

Call 911 immediately. Show the law enforcement officer a certified copy of the Order for Protection. If the respondent has been served with the order and violates it, he or she may be immediately arrested or issued a citation. An assault or reckless endangerment in violation of an Order for Protection is a felony. Contempt charges may be filed! The petition may request that the court set a hearing requiring the respondent to appear and show cause why he/she should not be held in contempt of court.

Is there help available for the protection order process?

The Protection Order Advocacy Program provides advocacy services in Superior Court (at both locations, King County Courthouse and RJC) and at Northeast District Court which include:

• Assistance in filing for the temporary order
• Information and referral to social service agencies
• Education and preparation prior to court hearings
• Advocacy during and after court proceedings

The Program is part of the Domestic Violence Unit of the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

Locations:

King County Courthouse, Room W554
516 Third Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104-2312
206-296-9547
FAX: 206-205-8329
TTY: 206-205-6198

Regional Justice Center, Kent (South King County)
401 Fourth Avenue, Room 2B
Kent, WA 98032-4429
206-205-7406

Northeast District Court, Redmond
8601 - 160th Ave. NE
Redmond, WA 98052
206-205-7012

Please call for information regarding hours and services.

Emergency Phone Numberss

• Law Enforcement: 911
• *Crisis Clinic: 206-461-3222
• *Washington State Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-562-6025

*External Link