What Are the Prerequisites for Implementing a Police Protective Order?

There is legal protection available if someone is harassing, stalking or threatening you. The intent of a police protective order is to prevent a crime before it happens. The requirements for obtaining a protection order vary by state, so check with your county's clerk of courts office.

Definition

A police, or personal, protection order (PPO) is an order issued by the court to prevent assault, stalking or harassment, typically stemming from a domestic relationship.

What It Does

A PPO may order a person not to enter your home, not to assault or threaten you, not to enter your workplace, not to remove your minor children if you have legal custody, not to call or mail you and not to prevent you from removing your property or children. The order may also prevent the person from buying a firearm.

Restraining PPO

A restraining PPO is intended for victims of domestic or dating violence. You'll need to show that a relationship exists. A relationship includes a spouse or former spouse, a person with whom you have lived, a person with whom you have a child or a person with whom you have had a dating relationship.

Stalking PPO

To obtain a stalking PPO, you don't need to show proof of a relationship. You must establish a pattern of behavior and show at least two separate incidents that made you feel threatened.

What You'll Need

To file for a PPO, you'll need a copy of divorce documents if there are any, specific information about why you need protection, information on the person in question, and police and doctor's reports, if you have them.

How to File

Take your documentation to the county clerk's office, usually located at the courthouse or government facility. The cost for filing is minimal, and a fee waiver is often available. The order goes into effect as soon as the judge signs it.