Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone. Children are also hurt by seeing domestic violence.

How Do I Remain Safe?

A safety plan is a personalized, practical plan that includes ways to remain safe while in a relationship, planning to leave, and after you leave. Safety planning involves how to cope with emotions, tell friends and family about the abuse, take legal action and more.

• Create your own personalized safety plan

Protection Orders

What is a Protection Order?

A Protection Order is a civil court order prohibiting a person from coming near you, your home, work, school or other locations as listed on the order. A protection order means no contact (no phone calls, text messages, email, social media, third party or otherwise)

Does my relationship to the person matter?

Your relationship to the person matters - it will determine what type or order is appropriate, an Order of Protection or an Injunction Against Harassment (IAH).

Where can I request a Protection Order?

You can obtain either of these orders from Maricopa / Stanfield Justice / City Court or Pinal County Superior Court.

Can someone from the Prosecutor's Office Victim Services Unit help me through the process of getting a Protection Order?

Yes. Our Victim Assistance Advocates or Volunteers can speak with you or meet you and help you through the process. If you have questions or want to speak with an Advocate call 520-316-6800 option 5.

What is the process to obtain a Protection Order in Maricopa Municipal Court?

In order to request a Protection Order:

• You must appear in person at Maricopa City Court
• Complete the paperwork required for your request. (You can bring the completed forms to court.)
• You will meet with the judge to discuss (the judge will hear your petition) the request you made in your Petition.
• If the judge grants your request, the Order is issued by the judge and must then be served on the person by a police officer or process server. (Please note: not all requests for a Protective Order are granted and there is a fee for an IAH.)
• If the person who is served with the Order does not agree with the order, he or she can request a hearing and you will be required to come and testify at that hearing.(Failure to attend WILL result in the dismissal of the protective order)
• The Protection Order is effective for 12 months from the date the person is served with the Order.