English
EspañolStep 6: Hearing for a final order of protection
Before you can get a final order of protection, you will need to have a hearing in front of a judge. The abuser will also have the chance to be there. You must go to the hearing. If you do not go to the hearing, your temporary order will expire and you will have to start the process over. You may request to appear remotely, and the court may grant your request as long as the courtroom has equipment to allow you to participate fully in the hearing while remote.1
To get a domestic violence order for protection, you must:
- Prove that the respondent has committed acts of domestic violence (as defined by the law) against you; and
- Convince a judge that you need protection and the specific things you asked for in your petition.
For information on what counts as domestic violence in an order of protection hearing, see What is the legal definition of domestic abuse in Wyoming?
See the At the Hearing section under the Preparing for Court tab at the top of this page for ways you can show the judge that you were abused. You can learn more about the court system in our Preparing for Court – By Yourself section.
If the abuser does not show up for the hearing, the judge may still grant you an order of protection, or reschedule the hearing. If the hearing is rescheduled, be sure to ask the judge to have your temporary order extended until that date. If you show up to court and the abuser has a lawyer and you do not, you may ask the judge for a continuance to set a later court date so you can have time to find a lawyer for yourself. To find a lawyer in your area, please visit our Finding a Lawyer page.
1 Wyo. Stat. §§ 7-3-507(f); 35-21-103(j)
