What is an Order of Protection From Abuse?
     An Order of Protection From Abuse is an order of Family Court ordering someone to stop abusing another person, and may include other relief, such as ordering the abuser to stay away from the person being abused. Abuse is defined as any threatening or harmful conduct including serious emotional harm.

Who can file for Protection from Abuse?
      Spouses, ex-spouses, family members, persons of the opposite sex who lived together when the abuse occurred, and unmarried persons who have children together may file for an Order of Protection from Abuse.

What is abuse?
     Abuse is any threatening or harmful conduct including serious emotional harm.

IF YOU WANT TO FILE FOR AN ORDER OF PROTECTION FROM ABUSE

How does someone file for an Order of Protection from Abuse?
      You do not need an attorney to seek an Order of Protection. Court staff will help you with the necessary forms and volunteers from a Victim Advocacy Program may also be available to help.

     Go to the Family Court between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. If you believe that you are in immediate danger of abuse, you may ask for an emergency (ex parte) hearing that same day. If you will be asking the Court for an emergency (ex parte) hearing, you should go to the Family Court early in the day, but not later than 4:30 p.m.

     Ask the clerk for a Protection From Abuse Petition (form #450). If you are asking for an emergency (ex parte) hearing, also ask the clerk for the Affidavit for Emergency Hearing Form. Fill in all the blanks on both forms. Give enough facts for the Court to know how you are being abused and whether you are in immediate danger. A Court staff person will ask you some questions. Be specific with your answers.

What happens at an emergency ex parte hearing?
     If the Court decides to give you an emergency hearing, you will be taken before a Commissioner of the Court the same day or the next day, and the Commissioner will ask some questions. If the Commissioner decides to sign an Emergency (ex parte) Order granting you relief, you will be given a date for a full hearing which the respondent will be asked to attend. Your emergency (ex parte) order will last until the full hearing takes place.

What happens on the hearing day?

Consent process
     On the day of the full hearing, the respondent will be asked by a Court staff person if he/she is willing to have a Consent Order entered. If the respondent is willing to have a Consent Order entered, he/she does not have to admit that there was any abuse and the Court does not decide if there was any abuse, but will enter an Order for some or all of the relief requested.

     If the Respondent agrees to the relief, you and the respondent will go into the courtroom and tell the Commissioner. The Commissioner will ask you some questions to make sure you both understand the Consent Order. The signed Consent Order will be given to both of you that same day.

Hearing
     If the Respondent does not agree to a Consent Order, the Judicial Officer will conduct a hearing. The petitioner and the respondent will each be given a chance to present their side of the story and any evidence that they may have. If witnesses are going to be called to help tell the story, the person calling the witness must ask the Court to subpoena the witness. You may also use such things as photographs and tape recordings. You are not usually allowed to use doctors' or police reports unless the doctor or police person is present.

     The Judicial Officer may ask both the petitioner and the respondent questions. At the end of the hearing, the Judicial Officer will decide whether he or she believes that abuse occurred. If so, an Order of Protection will be signed and copies will be given to both the petitioner and the respondent.

What do Orders of Protection usually say?
     Orders of Protection from Abuse may provide for any or all of the following relief:

• No more abuse
• No contact with the Petitioner
• Petitioner may be given exclusive use of the home or of certain possessions
• Temporary custody
• Conditions of Visitation
• Child support or support for the Petitioner
• Payment of expenses
• Surrender of firearms
• Counseling
• Any other relief that might help prevent future violence

How long does an Order of Protection From Abuse usually last?
      Orders of Protection can last up to one year and can be extended for an extra six months following another hearing. (To request an extension, you must file a motion.)
      The Order remains valid and effective even if the petitioner and respondent get back together. The Order can only be changed after another hearing.
      The effectiveness of a PFA Order depends on the fact that the petitioner will not attempt to contact the respondent or attempt to reconcile without asking the Court to change or set aside the Order.

IF YOU ARE THE RESPONDENT...

How do Respondents know when a Protection from Abuse petition is filed against them?
     If you are named as a respondent in a Protection from Abuse petition, you will personally receive a copy of the petition and a summons notifying you of the date, time and place for the full hearing. If the petitioner has been given an Emergency (ex parte) Order, you will be given a certified copy of that Order at the same time. The Emergency (ex parte) order stays in effect until after the full hearing is over and you must obey it as you would any court Order.

What happens if someone disobeys an Order of Protection from Abuse?
      The violation of an Order of Protection is a crime punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,300. If a respondent disobeys an Order of Protection, he or she is subject to arrest and, if convicted, may be fined or sent to jail.

      A petitioner who believes an Order has been violated can call the police or may go to Family Court to report the violation.

      A PFA Order is effective even if the petitioner contacts the respondent or wants to reconcile. A respondent must do what the Order says, no matter what the petitioner does, or asks the respondent to do, unless the Court modifies or vacates the Order.

Can Orders of Protection From Abuse be changed or withdrawn?
     The party who wants to change an Order of Protection in some way may file with Family Court a form called a Motion to Modify/Extend or Vacate a Protection from Abuse Order (form # 456). The motion form and assistance is available at the Resource Center in the Family Court buildings in Kent and Sussex Counties and at Family Court Intake in the New Castle County Courthouse.

      The Court may modify a non-consent order only if the party asking for the modification proves that there is a good reason for the change. The Court may modify a consent order if both parties agree or if the respondent has been found in contempt of the consent order.

Can I appeal the Court's decision?
      Orders entered by a Commissioner may be appealed to a Judge of the Family Court by filing a form called an Appeal from a Commissioner's Order. Appeals from Commissioner's orders must be filed with the Family Court within ten (10) days of the order. Orders entered by a Judge may be appealed to the Delaware Supreme Court. A Notice of Appeal form must be filed within thirty (30) days of the Family Court Judge's order.

What happens after the Order of Protection From Abuse expires?
     The relief given in an Order of Protection is only in effect for up to one year (unless extended for an additional six months). To get permanent relief, either party may file for custody, visitation, child or spousal support, or divorce and property division. Forms for these petitions are available from the Clerk of the Family Court.

Help and Support is available from the following sources. For additional services, please see the service provider listing.

Family Court:
  New Castle County 255-0300
  Kent County 672-1000
  Sussex County 855-7400

24-hour Domestic Violence Hotlines:
  New Castle County 762-6110
  Kent & Sussex Counties 422-8058
  New Castle County Crisis Hotline 761-9100
  Kent & Sussex Crisis Hotline (800) 262-9800
  Child Abuse Hotline (800) 292-9582

Victim Advocacy Programs:
  New Castle County 255-0420
  Kent County 672-1075
  Sussex County 856-5843
  Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence (800) 701-0456
  Domestic Violence Coordinating Council 255-0405

Attorney General:
  New Castle County 255-0112
  Kent County 739-4211
  Sussex County 856-5353

Legal Services:
  New Castle County 478-8680
  Kent County 674-8500
  Sussex County 856-0038