Protective Orders are legal documents issued by a judge or magistrate to protect the health and safety of a person who is alleged to be a victim of any act involving violence, force or threat that results in bodily injury, or that places that person in fear of death, sexual assault or bodily injury. 2. If you did not, you would file for a . The hearing on the motion is given precedence on the court docket. V.S.C.R. The Respondent may be anyone you may need protection from who: is NOT a member of your family or household AND ; with whom you do NOT have a romantic relationship. program, but you must file the petition in person with the court. If the injuries or threats were made by someone who is not a family or household member,  the General District Court would handle the matter. Names and addresses. In Virginia, preliminary protective orders last 15 days or until a full hearing on the underlying threatening conduct; protective orders last for up to two years. A preliminary protective order gives protection for only 15 days, or until a hearing can be scheduled. An Emergency Protective Order (up to 72 hours) can be issued by a magistrate or a police officer. In order to petition the general district court for a preliminary protective order, the following conditions must be met: The petitioner is at least 18 years of age. James focuses his practice on intellectual property law and family law. A court hearing may be held at 1:30 p.m. the same day. The order against contact may also protect other people in your family. Protection orders can also stop instances of false imprisonment in which a person is kept somewhere against his or her will. Download Now. File for a Restraining Order in Virginia. They also say that a domestic abuse victim’s best protection from further abuse, especially if threats of serious physical harm are involved, may be in filing a protective order. The parties file designated material in sealed envelopes only to be opened as specified by the court. Where to File a Virginia Protective Order. Preliminary Protective Order (PPO): Lasts up to 15 days or until a full hearing. In most cases, because the protection order will be part of an ongoing criminal case, the prosecutor (i.e., the lawyer representing the state) will have to help you. To register your protective order in Virginia, file an application in the court. They often include mandates to avoid stalking or harassing the victim. However, violating a protective order in Virginia can result in criminal penalties. To file for a Protective order, you need some information about the victim (petitioner) and the abuser (respondent). If the person you are filing against is a family or household member, then you file your order with your local Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. Without assistance, the process can be challenging and time-consuming, involving formal legal documentation and complicated filing procedures. 3. If you feel as though it is safe to rescind a protection order and allow the defendant to have contact with you, someone will have to file a motion with the court on your behalf. These could be just some of the questions you are asking yourself when you are considering filing a Protective Order. Can I Change My Name After a Virginia Divorce? There are a few reasons that you might want to file for a protective order in Virginia, ranging from unsafe living situations to domestic violence and other forms of abuse. Yorktown 501 Village Ave, Suite 104 Yorktown, VA 23693 Phone: (757) 656-1000, Newport News 11815 Fountain Way, Suite 300 Newport News, VA 23606* Phone: (757) 387-1000, Virginia Beach 468 Investors Pl, Suite 202A Virginia Beach, VA 23452* Phone: (757) 317-1000, Poquoson 400 City Hall Ave, Ste B Poquoson, VA 23662* Phone: (757) 241-6284, Hampton 29 S Mallory St, Suite 206 Hampton, VA 23663 Phone: (757) 260-5996. You will need to attach a certified copy of your order to the form, and take it to any juvenile and … If you are filing the petition for a minor child, you may be eligible for a Protective Order if any of the following apply to the minor child: The minor child is the current or former spouse of the respondent. In West Virginia is a Class IV Misdemeanor in Virginia can result in criminal penalties a new or. The benefits of Indiana 's System for protective orders must be answered to the.... 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