What is a Protective Order?

A Protective Order is a civil order that can:

• order the respondent to refrain from acts of family abuse against you
• prohibit contact between the abuser and you, including in person, phone and /or mail contact with you
• give you temporary possession of your residence
• grant you possession of a jointly owned automobile
• order the abuser to stay away from you, your children, or any family members
• order the abuser to stay away from your residence and/or place of employment
• order the abuser into a counseling program

Who can get a Protective Order?

• Protective orders are designed for people who are experiencing family abuse. Family abuse is any act of violence, force, or threat, including any forceful detention, which results in physical injury or places one in reasonable apprehension of serious bodily injury and is committed by a family or household member.

• If you are related or married to, living together in the last 12 months or have children in common with the abuser, you are eligible to apply for a protective order.

Please contact 703-838-4911 for more information about protective orders.

Kinds of Protective Orders (Three types)

• Emergency Protective Orders (EPO)
  • requested by petitioner at time of the incident
  • valid for 72 hours or until 5 p.m. the next day that court is in session
• Preliminary Protective Orders (PPO)
  • petition Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court before expiration of EPO
  • valid 15 days and must be personally served on respondent to be enforceable
• Protective Order (PO)
  • entered by the judge at the final hearing
  • valid up to two years from date of issuance and must be personally served on respondent to be enforceable
  • valid in all fifty states and US territories, so wherever you go, you must carry it with you.

How to get a Protective Order:

Protective Orders are free. There is no charge for petitioning for a protective order, filing copies of a protective order, or having the order served on the abuser.

If you are an Alexandria resident or city employee:

You need to apply at the Court Services Unit in the Alexandria Courthouse between the hours of 8am and 3pm. You will meet with an intake worker who will help you fill out the paperwork. You do not need to have any witnesses or a police report with you to file for the order. After hours and on weekends, the Magistrate can issue an Emergency Protective Order. There is no cost for this service.

If you reside outside the city of Alexandria:

Please call your local domestic violence or victim-witness assistance program, or Virginians Against Domestic Violence at 1-800-838-8238.

If you do not meet the criteria to obtain a protective order, you may be able to qualify for a Stalking Protective Order.

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