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Protection Orders

What is a Protection From Abuse (PFA) Order?

A Protection From Abuse Order (PFA) is a civil court action intended to bring about an end of the abuse toward you and/or your minor child/ren.

TO QUALIFY for a Protection From Abuse Order you and the person you want restrained must be intimate partners or household members, meaning you must:

  • Be residing together OR
  • Have formerly resided together OR
  • Be the parent of or living with a child who has suffered abuse by the party you are attempting to restrain OR
  • Have a child in common OR
  • Be in or have been in a dating relationship AND
  • The person has intentionally attempted to cause you or a child bodily injury, or intentionally or recklessly caused bodily injury OR
  • The person has intentionally placed, by physical threat, you or a child, in fear of imminent bodily injury OR
  • The person has engaged in certain sexual conduct with a child under 16 years of age who is not the spouse of the offender.

How to Apply for a PFA Order

  • When the Court is closed, you may be able to obtain the application (petition) for an Emergency Order from your local law enforcement office, usually the Sheriff’s Department.
  • If you receive an Emergency Order, it will automatically expire at 5:00 p.m. on the next regular workday of the District Court.
  • Forms for obtaining a PFA order are on-line at http://www.kscourts.org/Kansas-Courts/Judicial-Council/forms/protection-from-abuse.asp
  • When the Court is open, you may obtain the application (petition) for a Temporary Order from the District Court Clerk’s Office.
  • The Court Clerk must verify your petition by witnessing your signature.
  • You may be asked to talk with a judge about why you think the Protection Order is necessary. In some jurisdictions, the Clerk will present your petition to the judge.
  • A Temporary Order is valid for up to 20 days. You must appear for the final hearing for the Protection From Abuse Order to be made final.

(Information provided by Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence)