Civil Protection Orders

Washington State law allows for a person to file a civil case in court asking a judge to grant an order to protect them from another person whose behavior is abusive, threatening, exploitive or seriously alarming.  The primary purpose of most is to order the “respondent” to not contact or harm the “petitioner.”  Unlike other protection orders, an Extreme Risk Protection Order does not provide protection to the petitioner.  Its primary purpose is to order the respondent to surrender weapons.There are 6 types of protections orders, intended for specific situations. State law establishes who can seek them, who they can protect, who they can restrain, the types of protections and relief they offer, when and where court hearings are conducted, what costs may be incurred, etc.

Two types of protection orders are primarily filed in District Court: Antiharassment and Stalking.  A case can be transferred to or filed in Superior court IF:

• The petitioner/victim or the respondent (harasser/stalker) is under 18 years old.
• The action involves title or possession of real property, and the respondent claims an interest in that property such as ownership or right to occupy.
• The action would interfere with the respondent’s care, control or custody of his/her child under 18.
• The Superior Court has jurisdiction over a case involving the petitioner/victim and the Respondent.

Petitioners choose which type of protection order is most appropriate for them to pursue. However, protection orders do not cover everyone’s needs; there may be other legal remedies that are appropriate.

• Seek assistance from: King County Protection Order Advocacy Program http://protectionorder.org/
• Read the state law: Revised Code of Washington http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW
• Contact an attorney for legal advice: King County Bar Association www.kcba.org/