Restraining Orders

If you are in immediate danger and requested an ex parte temporary order, the judge or commissioner will either issue the order without holding a hearing or the judge can choose to hold a hearing first. The ex parte hearing can be in person, by telephone, by video, or by other electronic means on the day your petition is filed or the next day the court is in session. At the hearing, you can tell the judge why you need the order.¹ The abuser does not have to be present or be told you are asking the judge for an ex parte temporary protection order.

After the ex parte hearing, if you are granted a temporary order, the clerk will file the signed temporary order and give you one or more certified copies. Remember that you may need additional copies for schools, daycare, and your place of employment. You cannot be charged a fee for being given the “necessary” number of certified copies of your order.²

If you received a temporary order, keep a copy of it with you at all times.

Whether the judge grants you a temporary order or not, you may be given a court date for a court hearing on your petition for a full domestic violence protection order within 14 days, assuming your petition is not dismissed.³ This hearing will be in front of a judge at the time shown on the “notice of hearing.” The notice of hearing is the document that tells the respondent where and when to appear for the court hearing. At this hearing, you and the abuser will both have a chance to explain your sides to the judge, present evidence and witnesses, etc.

¹ R.C.W. § 7.105.105(12)
² R.C.W. § 7.105.105(9)
³ R.C.W. § 7.105.305(4)