Protection Orders
Protection Orders
The Thurston County Clerk's Office handles all types of protection order requests and provides details about how to petition the court.
A protection order is a civil order issued by the court that tells the alleged perpetrator to stay away from the victim, the victim's children, and the place(s) the victim lives or works. Generally, if the alleged perpetrator does not obey the order, they can be arrested. To obtain an order, a victim must file paperwork with the court and have a hearing where the alleged perpetrator will have an opportunity to respond to the legal request for a protective order. If a victim is sixteen or older they can seek a protection order without involving their parent or guardian.
To get a domestic violence protection order, the victim must have a domestic relationship with the person who assaulted her/him. This means the victim and the perpetrator must be in a family or household relationship with each other to qualify for this type of order. Qualifying relationships include the following: a person to whom you are married or formerly married, or live with or formerly lived with, have children with, or are related by blood or marriage or that you dated or formerly dated. If you do not meet these relationship requirements you are not eligible for a domestic violence protection order.
The Harassment and Stalking Petition worksheet helps to determine what type of protection order you qualify for and provides the definition of unlawful harassment and stalking.
The following protection orders are available through the Clerk's Office.
- Domestic Violence Protection Orders
- Sexual Assault Protection Orders
- Anti-Harassment or Stalking Protection Order
- Vulnerable Adult/Elderly Protection Order
Criminal No Contact Order
A Criminal No Contact Order is requested by the State or Deputy Prosecutor in conjunction with a criminal case.
Restraining Order
A restraining order is issued to maintain status quo by prohibiting a party from doing any action or proposed action until further orders. For example, a court issuing a restraining order prohibiting further development in a disputed property until the dispute is settled or issued as part of a divorce proceeding.