Stalking Protection Order (SPO) in WA

Recently updated on April 9th, 2024 at 12:43 am

Create and File for Stalking Protection Order

LegalAtoms is a website that allows you to prepare all the documents required to file for a Stalking Protection Order (SPO) free of charge.

LegalAtoms currently assists with the initial filing for various counties in Washington state.

You will be led through a questionnaire in plain non-legal language, with helpful explanations from lawyers and court officials. Once you have completed the questionnaire you can submit your documents via email or download your documents for filing with any other Washington court that has jurisdiction to sign the Stalking Protection Order (SPO).

Start

Play Video

Process Overview

This website presents a list of questions, and then at the end generates the paperwork for SPO.

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.

1. Eligibility

✔ Check to see if you meet the minimum criteria to petition for Vulnerable Adult Protection Order.
✔ Answers a few questions which are in simple language. No difficult legal terms.
✔ View help content and videos prepared by lawyers in Washington.

2. Prepare court forms

✔ Answer detailed questions about you and the respondent.
✔ Request specific protections and attach supporting documents.
✔ Download documents as a PDF or Word.

happy-women-sitting-talking-each-other-dialog-psychologist-tablet-flat-illustration_74855-14078-removebg-preview (1)

3. Get Help

✔ If you have procedural questions, court staff are available to provide answers. However, they are unable to answer legal questions.
✔ You will be presented with contact information for the county’s advocacy programs.

law-justice-concept-justice-scales-judge-building-judge-gavel-supreme-court-modern-flat-cartoon-style-vector-illustration-white-background_501813-1079-removebg-preview (1)

4. Submit to Clerks Office

✔ LegalAtoms will notify the clerk that your documents are available for review.
✔ Clerk’s office staff will prep your documents for consideration by the court.
✔ Judicial Officer will review your petition and sign an order.
✔ The Clerk’s Protection Order office will provide you with a copy of your order once it is signed and processed.

FAQs

What is the legally considered as stalking?

In Washington State, stalking includes many forms of unlawful activities against a person. An individual is said to have stalked another person when they repeatedly follow, or harass them. Usually, this is the case when the individual being followed fears that the stalker has the plan of injuring, or destructing their property. The level of fear related to the stalking activities must be to the extent that any other reasonable individual in the same situation may experience. While committing the act of stalking, the stalker intends to harass, or frighten the person knowing that the individual is afraid, or feel harassed by their unwanted behaviors.

Further, the crime of stalking extends to cyber harassment issues like making a phone call or sending a text message to a person. During this period, the call or text message must be using indecent, or bad language or images. In Washington State, communication through phone and other related devices becomes stalking if it is repeated, or unidentified, includes threat to cause injury or damage to a person. The conducts must cause a person to feel threatened or develop emotional distress considering the knowledge of the sender. Mostly, this is the case if the victim knows that the stalker has history of bad behaviors.

How does a Stalking Protection Order (SPO) help the victim?

The Protection Order such can require any number of the following items from your abuser:

To not contact you and stay away from you (including move out)
Not have access to a gun
In case you share children, then follow child custody and visitation orders, pay child support,
In case you were married or a formal domestic union, then pay spousal support
Help in acquiring your common household items such as
- Passport or other IDs
- Cell phone
- Pets

What does a SPO not do?

What happens if the defendant breaks the terms of the SPO

Under the Washington State law, its a crime of misdemeanor for a person to violate the terms or conditions of a court-issued restraining order, protective order, or stay-away order. This offense is a misdemeanor that carries a maximum sentence of up to one year in jail.

But a second-offense violation of a restraining order, or a violation that involves an act of violence, can be charged as a felony and punished by up to 3 years in jail or prison.

How much does it cost to get a SPO?

Do I need a lawyer to get a SPO?

How long does it take to get a protection order?

You can get a temporary restraining order the same day as you file in case of an emergency. Courts can close as early as 12:30 p.m. so you need to file before then. Otherwise, the order would be issued the following day when courts open.

Courts are generally open Monday-Friday and closed on Saturday-Sunday.

The temporary order is valid until a formal hearing is held in which both parties need to be present. Typically a hearing is scheduled within 3 weeks of filing.

At the hearing a formal order may be issued.

How long is a SPO in force for?

How many people file for a SPO?

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

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.

2. Cost Effective

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

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

LegalAtoms guides you through all the topics required to complete your protection order documents and file your case.

Core Forms

PO 001 Petition for Protection Order
PO 003 Law Enforcement and Confidential Information Form
PO 030 Temporary Protection Order and Hearing Notice
PO 004 Proof of Service

WS 001 Order to Surrender and Prohibit Weapons Without Notice
PO 036 Order Transferring Case and Setting Hearing