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Protection Orders

Washington State law allows you to ask a Judge to grant an order to protect you from another person. You might seek a “Protection Order” for a number of reasons. These include if the person is abusing, threatening or exploiting you. A Protection Order means that person is not allowed to contact or harm you.

When asking for a protection order you will see the words “petitioner” and “respondent.” The “petitioner” is the person asking for a protection order (you). The “respondent” is the person you are asking the Court to protect you from.  

  1. Can I file one petition against multiple people?
  2. How do I know if the temporary order was served?
  3. Can we file together against the same person?
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There are four types of Protection Orders available from Yakima County District Court.  They are as follows:
  • Anti-Harassment Protection Order
  • Stalking Protection Order
  • Domestic Violence Protection Order
  • Sexual Assault Protection Order
Additionally, Extreme Risk Protection Order and Vulnerable Adult Protection Orders must be requested from Yakima County Superior Court.  More information on all protections orders is contained in the tiles below.  

Ask for a Protection Order

You will ask a judge for a Protection Order using forms the Court provides. This is called “filing a Petition for Protection Order.” The court forms use the words “petitioner” and “respondent.” The “petitioner” is the person asking for a protection order (you). The “respondent” is the person you are asking the Court to protect you from.

How to file for a protection order petition: 
  • Step 1:  Decide which of the following types of protection you want to ask for. More than one type may apply, but you will need to choose the one that best fits your situation. For more information about the orders, see above.
  • Step 2:  Fill out a Petition for Protection Order Form. You also can ask for a hard copy of this form from any District Court location, in Yakima or Grandview.
  • Step 3:  Fill out a Law Enforcement and Confidential Information Form attached to the petition.  You also can ask for a hard copy of this form from any District Court location, in Yakima or Grandview.
  • Step 4:  Give your filled out forms to the Court in one of these ways: 
                   In-Person: Either at the Grandview or Yakima location.
What happens after I give the Court my Petition for Protection Order?
If you filed for a Temporary Protection Order ("Emergency" Order):
  • A Judge/Commissioner will review your petition usually the same day, but no later than the next business day.  They will decide whether a Temporary Protection Order will be granted.  A clerk will notify you of the decision. 
  • You will have a second hearing, usually referred to as a full hearing within 14 days after you filed your petition. The Court will tell you the date, time and place for the hearing.
If you did not file for a Temporary Protection Order ("Emergency" Order): 
  • A Judge/Commissioner will decide if your petition is eligible for a full hearing. If so, your hearing will be scheduled within 10 days after you filed your petition. The Court will tell you the date, time and place for the hearing.
  • The Court will let you know if the Judge/Commissioner decides your petition is not eligible for a full hearing. You will  have up to 10 days to file an amended petition. If you do not file an amended petition, or if the amended petition is not sufficient, the Court will dismiss your case.
The person you are asking to be protected from (the “respondent”) must be given a copy of your petition. This is called “being served.” The petition can be served to the other person in several ways.  For more information on service, see Instructions on Proof of Service.

What happens at my hearing? 

  • If you as the Petitioner, the person seeking the protection order, fails to appear at the hearing, the Court will likely dismiss the petition. You will not be given a protection order. 
  • At the hearing, you and the person you are asking to be protected from will see a judge. You and the other person will have a chance to speak The Judge might or might not ask questions The Judge will decide if anyone else may speak or ask questions.
  • You can ask other people to come with you to the hearing to help you. These could be your lawyer,  advocate or other support person.
  • To help you remember what you want to tell the judge, it is helpful to make a list. You also can bring copies of any items that might help you explain your case. This can include medical or police records and other things that help you make your case. See the Presenting Evidence Sheet for more information.
  • If the judge grants you a Protection Order, you and the other person will receive copies. The order will tell the other person what they can and cannot do. It also will list how long the order will last.

Transfer case to Superior Court: In some instances, state law requires District Court to transfer a Protection Order case to Yakima County Superior Court. District Court will let you know if your case must be transferred and will provide you more information at that time

To access additional resources or assistance, please see either Legal Resources or Local Community Resources. 

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