What is a Stalking Protective Order?

A Stalking Protective Order is a civil order that can:

• order the respondent to refrain from further acts of stalking against you
• prohibit contact between the stalker and you, including in person, phone and /or mail contact with you
• prohibit contact between the stalker and members of your family
• order the stalker to stay away from your residence and/or place of employment

Who can get a Stalking Protective Order?

• Anyone who receives a Stalking Warrant may request an Emergency Stalking Protective Order from the magistrate. The stalking victim (complainant) may then petition the General District Court for a Preliminary and/or Stalking Protective Order.

• If you are related or married to, living together in the last 12 months or have children in common with the stalker, you may also be able to apply for the family abuse protective order, in which case a warrant would not be a pre-requisite for the protective order.

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

Kinds of Stalking Protective Orders (Three types)

• Emergency Stalking Protective Orders (ESPO)
  • requested by petitioner at time of issuance of stalking warrant
  • valid for 72 hours or until 5 p.m. the next day that court is in session
• Preliminary Stalking Protective Orders (PSPO)
  • petition General District Court before expiration of ESPO
  • valid 15 days and must be personally served on respondent to be enforceable
• Stalking Protective Order (SPO)
  • 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 Stalking Protective Order:

Stalking 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:

If you are being stalked by a family member or (former) dating partner, please call the Domestic Violence Program at (703) 838-4911.

If you are being stalked by a stranger, please call the Victim-Witness Assistance Program at (703) 838-4100.

If you reside outside the city of Alexandria:

Please call your local domestic violence or victim-witness assistance program, or the National Center for Victims of Crime's Stalking Resource Center at 1-800-FYI-CALL (Mon.-Fri., 8:30 am - 8:30 pm EST).

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