Instructions For Obtaining A Civil Stalking Or Sexually Oriented Offense Protection Order Form printable pdf download

INSTRUCTIONS FOR OBTAINING A CIVIL STALKING OR

SEXUALLY ORIENTED OFFENSE PROTECTION ORDER (SSOOPO)

These instructions are intended to assist you in preparing the Petition for a Civil Stalking or Sexually Oriented Offense Protection Order

(SSOOPO), which can only be heard by the Common Pleas Court in your county. Throughout the petition you are called Petitioner and the

person you are filing this petition against is called Respondent.

***Hearings are held Monday - Thursday at 7:45 a.m., Fridays at 8:30 a.m.

ALLOW AT LEAST 2 HOURS TO COMPLETE THE PROCESS. PARKING AT METERS IS NOT RECOMMENDED

*********************BRING YOUR COMPLETED PAPERWORK BACK TO ROOM 315*********************

SOME HINTS BEFORE YOU BEGIN

•

All forms must be typed or printed.

•

When you print your name on the Petition, use the same name you use when you write your signature.

•

Write your name and Respondent's name the same way throughout the Petition.

•

Fill out the Petition as completely and accurately as possible.

•

If you have any questions about completing the Petition, contact your local domestic violence program or the Ohio Domestic Violence

Network at 800-934-9840.

•

Under Federal and State Law no fees may be charged to obtain a protection order.

FILLING OUT THE PETITION: Mark each instruction below after you read and complete it.

On the front page, leave the “Case No.” line and “Judge” lines blank. The Clerk of Courts’ office will fill in this information.

On the top left-hand side of the front page, fill in the requested information about yourself. If you want your address to remain

confidential, do not write your address on the Petition. However, you must write another mailing address where you can safely receive

notices from the court.

Also on the top left-hand side of the front page, fill in the requested information about Respondent as best you can. If you do not

know Respondent’s date of birth, leave that line blank. Do not attempt to obtain this information unless it is safe to do so.

Paragraph 1: If you are filing the Petition on behalf of yourself, mark the first box.

Paragraph 2: If you are filing the Petition on behalf of a family or household member, mark the box and fill in their name(s) and the other

information requested in the chart. The Petitioner and the Respondent need not be related in any way for the Petitioner to obtain the

protection order. You may attach additional pages if you need more room.

Paragraph 3(a): State the approximate date(s) of the incident(s) that brought you to file the Petition. If you are requesting a civil stalking

protection order due to menacing by stalking, provide a brief description of the pattern of conduct (two or more instances) that caused you

to believe that the Respondent will cause physical harm or cause mental distress to you or another family member. If you are aware of

any prior convictions of the Respondent for menacing by stalking or similar offenses, or prior convictions of Respondent for any sexually

oriented offenses, list what information you know about those convictions. You may attach additional pages if you need more room to

complete your description.

Paragraph 3(b): State the approximate date(s) of the incident(s) that brought you to file the Petition. If you are requesting a civil sexually

oriented offense protection order due to a sexually oriented offense, you do not have to provide a description of a pattern of conduct. A

brief description of what happened that caused you to request the protection order will be enough.

Paragraph 3(c): State the approximate date(s) of the incident(s) that caused you to file the Petition and request electronic monitoring of

the Respondent. If you are requesting electronic monitoring of the Respondent, describe the nature and extent of the Respondent’s

conduct before the filing of this Petition that puts you or your family or household members’ health, welfare, or safety at risk. Also describe

how the Respondent presents

Paragraph 4: Indicate the action you want the Court to take by marking the boxes next to the numbered paragraphs that apply to your

situation.

Paragraph 4 (f): Write any special court orders you believe would help protect you and your family or household members.

Paragraph 5: Be sure to mark the box next to Paragraph 5 if you need an emergency (“ex parte”) protection order.

Paragraph 9: List ALL present or past and pertinent court cases or investigations that involve Respondent. This includes all civil, criminal,

divorce, custody, visitation, and any other case that may have a bearing on the safety of you or your family or household members. Write

the case name, the Court, the case number, and the outcome of the case, if known. You may attach additional pages if you need more

room.

SIGNING THE PETITION

Try to fill out the Petition before you go to the courthouse. AFTER YOU HAVE FILLED OUT THE PETITION, TAKE IT TO A NOTARY PUBLIC

TO HAVE YOUR SIGNATURE NOTARIZED. DO NOT SIGN THE PETITION UNLESS YOU ARE IN FRONT OF A NOTARY PUBLIC.

FILING THE PETITION

After you have your signature notarized, file your Petition at the Clerk of Courts’ office. The Clerk of Courts’ office will tell you when and where

your ex parte hearing will take place.

Instructions For Obtaining A Civil Stalking Or Sexually Oriented Offense Protection Order Form

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