ANTI-HARASSMENT

REQUIRED FORMS TO FILE AN ANTI-HARASSMENT ARE:

  • Law Enforcement Information Sheet
  • Petition for Protection Order

Forms, including brochure and instructions, can be found here. Packets can also be picked up at the District Court Clerk's window.

WHAT TYPES OF ORDERS CAN BE FILED IN DISTRICT COURT?

Certain protection orders must be transferred to Superior Court. If one of the following conditions listed below applies, you should consider initiating your case in Superior Court as it will be transferred.

(a) A superior court has exercised or is exercising jurisdiction over a proceeding involving the parties;

(b) The action would have the effect of interfering with a respondent's care, control, or custody of the respondent's minor child;

(c) The action would affect the use or enjoyment of real property for which the respondent has a cognizable claim or would exclude a party from a shared dwelling;

(d) The petitioner, victim, or respondent to the petition is under 18 years of age; or

(e) The district court is unable to verify whether there are potentially conflicting or related orders involving the parties as required by RCW 7.105.105 or 7.105.555.

Vulnerable Adult Protection Orders and Extreme Risk Protection Orders cannot not be filed in District Court.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN FILING FOR A PROTECTION ORDER:

You will need to complete the forms as completely as possible and you must include a name, address and date of birth (or approximate age) for the Respondent.

The filing fee for an Anti-Harassment petition is $83.00.

Petitions will be heard the same day it is filed, provided a judge is available. If no judge is available, your petition will be heard the next judicial day.

Once you file your petition, the clerk will prepare your file and check for judicial availability. Please be prepared to wait or return to court at a later time if necessary. When a judge is available, you will be directed to a courtroom. The judge will then review the petition and make a decision. If the judge decides it is necessary, a Temporary Protection Order will be issued. If the court does not issue a temporary order, it may still schedule a hearing to determine if a long term order is appropriate. The order will include a court date, not more than two weeks ahead, for both parties to appear.

When both parties appear for hearing, the judge will speak to each party regarding the details of the alleged harassment. If the judge finds there is cause, a full Order for Protection will be entered.