Recently updated on October 7th, 2022 at 06:25 am

Create Civil Protection Orders for Spokane County

This is a free website for victims of domestic violence, harassment, stalking, vulnerable adult abuse, and individuals showing risk of harm via firearms and their loved ones, to prepare the official paperwork for formally requesting a Civil Protection Order. 

The website covers all protection orders and both Superior and District Courts, for the county of Spokane in Washington State. The website leads you through a series of friendly questionnaires, with helpful explanations from lawyers and court officials. Once you complete the questionnaires, you can download your documents as WORD and PDF files. 

The entire process is anonymous until you file the paperwork yourself at the court. So stepping through the questionnaires it is also helpful if you're just learning about the process and your options. 

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HOW THIS WEBSITE WORKS

This website provides a guided experience to people who are working themselves on preparing the court forms for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order.

Take-Screening

1. Take Screening

Select the specific protection order you want to file for. Then answer a few questions to determine your eligibility.

Prepare-Documents

2. Prepare Documents

Prepare the main set of your court documents by covering one topic at a time. Each topic offers questions in simple and non-legal language. Just do your best and in case you need help you can get reach out for help just with a few clicks.

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3. Consult Advocate (Optional)

Depending on your situation, we can suggest any trusted free victim advocacy non profits. The advocate can assist you with certain aspects of the case and safety planning. They can review your case documents, and talk to you directly to discuss your case.

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4. Submit to Court

Submit the paperwork to begin the legal process. You can do that by  printing and visiting the court in person.

TYPES OF CIVIL PROTECTION ORDERS (CPOs)

Domestic Violence Protection Order

Domestic violence is abuse from a romantic partner, or a family or a household member. The abuse can involve physical or sexual violence, or a pattern of harassment or controlling behavior or merely threats to harm.

Vulnerable Adult Protection Order

Vulnerable adults means senior citizens or other persons who have physical or mental disabilities. This protection order is aimed at protection them from someone who is mistreating them or exploiting them financially.

Sexual Assault Protection Order

This protection order applies to situations involving unwanted sexual conduct by someone who is not a romantic partner or a member of the victim's family or household.

Stalking Protection Order

May be filed by someone who is experiencing stalking conduct by someone who is not a romantic partner or, a family or household member.

Anti-harassment Protection Order

For protection against any kind of unlawful or harassing behavior that is annoying or stressful and that serves no lawful purpose.

Extreme Risk Protection Order

This is aimed at restricting access to firearms from someone who poses significant danger to self or others. This protection order must be requested by a family or household member or a law enforcement agency.

FAQs

These apply to all civil protection orders: Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO), Anti-harassment Protection Order (DVPO), Sexual Assault Protection Order (SAPO),  Vulnerable Adult Protection Order (SPO) Stalking Protection Order (SPO) and Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO)   

Resources

Washington Courts

Official website of the Washington Courts which provides court forms and instructions.

Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs

WCSAP unites agencies engaged in eliminating sexual violence and provides information and training to members

Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence

WSCADV is a resource for programs that assist domestic violence survivors and their families

Victim Information and Notification Everyday

The VINE system is a free service that allows petitioners to register for notification when a protective order of any type that has been served or is about to expire.

Do Protection Orders Help?

Here the outcome of a research on domestic violence from University of New Hampshire

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1. Reduce Violence

Civil protective orders (such as a Domestic Violence Protection Order, an Anti-harassment Protection Order, a Sexual Assault Protection Order) are effective in reducing violence and harassment. For example, for half the women in the sample studied, a protective order stopped the violence. For the other half, the orders significantly reduced violence and abuse.

Cost-Effective

2. Cost Effective

They are a relatively low-cost solution, particularly when compared with the social and personal costs of partner violence.

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3. Cities vs. Countryside

The impact of civil protective orders on reducing violence and abuse did not differ for rural (country side) and urban (cities) women. In rural areas, where resources and services for partner violence may be more limited, it is critical to reduce barriers to obtaining protective orders as research indicates they may be an effective resource. Community-level barriers to enforce civil protective orders exist for women in rural areas.

Court Forms Created

When you pass the screening and complete the questionnaires, you can then download the following standard court forms filled correctly with your information. These court forms are provided by the California Courts and used across courts in Canada for DVRO.

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  • PO 001 Petition for Protection Order
  • PO 003 Law Enforcement and Confidential Information Form
  • PO 030 Temporary Protection Order and Hearing Notice
  • PO 040 Proof of Service
  • DV1 030 Child Custody Information Sheet
  • XR 102 Firearm Identification Worksheet
  • WPF All Cases 02 030 Order to Surrender and Prohibit Weapons Without Notice

Office hours

  • Monday - Friday 8:30am–12pm, 1–5pm

  • Saturday - Sunday, Closed