If you do not meet the definitions for a Domestic Violence or Sexual Assault Protection Order and someone is bothering you (such as a neighbor), you may qualify for an Anti-Harassment or Stalking Protection Order.
Click here for a worksheet to determine what type of protection order you quality for, and for the definition of unlawful harassment and stalking.
Sometimes the person may not know that they are bothering you. The Thurston County Superior Court routinely requires that you tell the harassing party to STOP doing the acts that bother you. If it continues, you may then seek the Protection Order.
You are the one who knows your situation and its severity. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE.
What if there is a child involved? If the victim is under the age of 18, you may ask for a Protection Order. However, if the harassing party is under 18, the Thurston County Superior Court requires that you must have contacted law enforcement prior to your initial court hearing for Anti-Harassment Orders only.
How Much Does it Cost? There is a $53 filing fee for initiating an Anti-harassment or Stalking Protection Order action at Family and Juvenile Court, plus the cost to have the other party served. If this presents a hardship, you can ask for paperwork to have this fee waived.
Where can I get One? Anti-Harassment: If the abuser lives in Thurston County or the harassing acts occurred in Thurston County, you can get an Anti-Harassment Protection Order at the locations noted below. Stalking: If you live in the Thurston County or left your residence because of the stalking conduct and Thurston County is your new or former residence, you can get a Protection order at the locations listed below.
Anti-Harassment or Stalking actions by or against a minor must be filed at the Thurston County Family and Juvenile Court, as well as those actions where you are seeking custody of a minor or asking the court to remove the harassing party from your residence.
Family and Juvenile does not handle Anti-harassment or Stalking cases that do not involve minor children or cases that incidentally list minor children who are not involved directly in the harassment or stalking issues, unless the court already has an active case (or had an active case within the past 6 months) between the parties.
ALL OTHER ANTI-HARASSMENT AND STALKING CASES can be brought in the Thurston County District Court.