Directory Navigation
Women's Center
Relationship Violence - Court Orders
Characteristics of the Different Court Orders
Protection Orders:
- RCW 26.50
- Mandatory arrest for violating restraint and exclusion provisions
- Temporary or full orders issued in Superior or District Court (some municipal courts)
- No criminal case is necessary
- Can run for one year or permanently
- Service must be verified
- May exclude the respondent from certain locations
No Contact Order:
- RCW 10.99 and 26.50
- Mandatory Arrest
- Issued in criminal domestic violence cases
- Presumed to have been served pursuant to a criminal proceeding
- Only valid in conjunction with the court case or upon sentencing
- Victim can request that it be dismissed
Civil Restraining Orders:
- RCW 26.09 and 26.10
- Mandatory arrest if criminal legend appears
- Usually drafted by Family Law Attorneys as part of a parenting plan or dissolution
- Service must be verified
- May be mutual orders (definition)
Anti-Harassment Order:
- RCW 10.14.120
- Not a mandatory arrest
- Possible criminal charges or contempt of court depending on the order language
- Not a DV order-can be obtained by anyone being alarmed, harassed or annoyed by another
- Service must be verified
Snohomish County Protection Orders: (425) 388-3638