Domestic Violence-Order of Protection

If you are in immediate danger, call 911, your local domestic violence program hotline, or the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence - 1-800-799-7233. For resources in Tennessee, call - 1-800-356-6767.

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Domestic Violence-Order of Protection

In a domestic violence situation, an Order of Protection can help protect you (petitioner) from the violent person (respondent) and the domestic abuse.

PLEASE NOTE: Any reference to legal documents or laws contained in this web site are presented for informational purposes only. No one at Life's New Beginnings is an attorney and we have had no legal training. Your situation may or may not require the assistance of legal counsel. Every situation is different and needs individual attention.

The Order of Protection below is used in the state of Tennessee. It can be viewed in full page format and can be printed for your use. According to the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, "You can get an Order of Protection without a lawyer."

How to work with this Order of Protection:

The "camera" icon allows you to view the form in a separate full window. From this view, you can - (1) print the form (2) e-mail the form or a link to a friend, family member, or business associate. From the "Tool" menu in this view, you can have a "Full Screen" view.
The "right arrows" allow you to view "Next Page" or "Previous Page" of the form.

Tennessee Order of Protection (.pdf format)

(If you use this format, be sure and use your "Back" button to return to this page.)

What Is An Order of Protection?

An Order of Protection is a legal court document, signed by a Judge, that can help protect you from the domestic abuse.

The Judge orders the abuser (respondent) to follow specific conditions of behavior--that is, tells him/her things that he/she must or must not do.

Police can make immediate arrests if they have good reason to believe those conditions have been violated.

The point of an Order of Protection is to maintain peace and provide protection until all the facts have been gathered and the case is heard in Court.

What Can An Order of Protection Do?

Order the person (respondent) to stop commiting violent acts against you.
Order the respondent to not come to your home.
Order the respondent to stop contacting you, or harassing you on the street, by mail, by e-mail, by text-messaging, on the phone, by fax, at school or at work.
Say who your children can live with for now and when the respondent can visit them.

If you live in another state, you can use the "Search Box" at the bottom of this page and search for - "order of protection (your state)" - Example: order of protection CO.

Most judges will accept a request for an Order of Protection in any format or the court will provide you with the correct form(s).

Important Things To Know

What if the person that asked for the order wants to change or end the order? She/he has to go to court and ask the judge. The order can only be changed or ended by a judge!
Not obeying the order is a crime. You can go to jail if you don't obey the order.
The police must arrest someone who ignores a no contact Order.
If you call, send mail, or do anything else that violates a no contact Order, the police or District Attorney's office will file charges against you.

How To Avoid Problems

Don't go places where you know the person goes.
Leave a building, restaurant, store or place if you realize that the person is there.
If the person calls you, hang up the phone right away.
Don't send letters, e-mails or faxes to the person. If they send them to you, don't answer.
Stay away from the person's family, friends and neighbors.
Don't argue or confront the person's family or friends. Walk away!
Don't open the door until you know who is there. If the person comes to your house, DO NOT let him/her in.

Source: Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands.

If you feel you need an

attorney and cannot afford one

Contact:

Legal Aid Society Of Middle TN

1-800-238-1443

Other Domestic Violence Links

Tennessee Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence

Kentucky Domestic Violence Association

The Faith Trust Institute

domesticviolence.org

The National Domestic Violence Hotline

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence Help In Tennessee Cities

Life's New Beginnings is a non-profit organization established for the sole purpose of increasing public awareness of Domestic Violence and how it affects all of us.

This web site was designed for the sole purpose of providing information on the subject of domestic violence. The web site was neither intended to provide professional advice on the subject of domestic violence nor should information contained herein be used in making personal decisions in your own particular situation (other than the decision to get help). There are many complex issues surrounding domestic violence which should only be addressed by professionals who are trained in this area. You are the only one who can get help in your situation. There are those who care about you and are concerned for your safety, but their non-professional involvement could possibly make your circumstances worse. Never let anyone talk you into doing anything that isn't right for you.

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