What is a...
CPO?
Who may be eligible
for a CPO?
CPO stands for Civil Protection Order, which is a court order that prohibits
a person from abusing, threatening or harassing another. It can also
include stay away, no contact and other important safety measures.
A CPO is usually valid for one year but can be extended.
You may get a CPO if you are a victim of…
TPO?
Stalking
TPO stands for Temporary Protection Order, which is a court order that can
include many of the same things as a CPO but is only valid for two weeks
and is in place while you wait for your CPO hearing (but can be extended
by a judge). To get a TPO you must demonstrate to the judge that you fear
immediate danger from your abuser.
Sexual Assault
Sexual Abuse
Intimate Partner Violence
Petitioner?
A petitioner is the person who is asking for a protection order. See “Who
may be eligible for a CPO?” section.
A criminal act was committed against you by someone who
is or was:
»» A spouse OR
»» A domestic partner OR
»» Someone you date/dated
»» Someone you have/had a sexual relationship with
Respondent?
Intrafamily Violence
A respondent is the person you want protection from.
What is service?
Service is how you let your abuser (the “respondent”) know you are
seeking a CPO. The respondent must be given official papers provided by
the court.
Note—if you are the petitioner, or person seeking the protection order, you cannot give the
respondent the papers yourself.
Ask the police to help and/or ask a friend or family member over the age
of 18 to give the papers to the respondent. Whoever delivers the papers
must sign a Return of Service (a confirmation that the documents have
been delivered ) which you must bring to court at your next hearing.
DC COALITION AGAINST
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
A criminal act was committed against you by someone with whom you
have a child in common OR by someone you are or/were related to by:
»» Marriage
»» Adoption
»» Legal custody
»» Blood
»» Domestic Partnership
Interpersonal Violence
A criminal act was committed against you by someone:
»» who shares a mutual residence ( like roommates), OR
»» who shares a common intimate partner (like a current
or former boyfriend / girlfriend / spouse in common)
How do I
get a
Protection
Order
in the
District of
Columbia?
How do I get a Temporary and/or Civil Protection Order?
STEP 1: Apply for an Order
STEP 2: During the next 2 weeks
Go to the DC Superior Court and file
a petition at the Domestic Violence Intake
Center (Room 4200) or the Domestic
Violence Clerk’s Office (Room 4400)
Respondent must be served (see reverse for explanation of what this means)
› If respondent violates the TPO, call the police immediately
› Collect any evidence you have (pictures, witnesses, medical bills, voicemails)
› Get legal advice and information (you do not need a lawyer to get the order, though it can be helpful)
File for TPO
and/or
STEP 3: The CPO Hearing (about 2 weeks after you file)
File petition
for CPO
Respondent is present
Have a hearing in front of a judge.
The judge will look to see whether
you are a proper petitioner for
a CPO (see reverse) and you
fear immediate danger
from your abuser
Negotiate – you will meet with an attorney
negotiator to try to reach an agreement about
the CPO, but you are not obligated to reach one
If agreement
If no agreement
Judge will review
the order to make
sure everyone
understands and
then will sign the
order, which will
be good for one
year.
A hearing will be held
in front of judge who
will hear any witnesses
or any evidence of injury
or threats. After listening to both sides, the
judge will make a
decision.
TPO granted:
If respondent is served, you
will have protection until
your CPO Hearing
CPO Hearing (about
2 weeks after you
file - see Step 3)
TPO not
granted
Respondent is not present
If respondent
served
If respondent
not served
Ask to continue the case–the
judge can reschedule the
hearing to allow time for the
respondent to be served. If
you have a TPO, ask that it be
extended until next hearing date
Default ruling – the judge may issue the
CPO in respondent’s absence if s/he
finds there is a reasonable belief the
harm occurred.