Personal Protection Orders

A Personal Protection Order (PPO) is a Circuit Court injunctive order that protects victims of family (domestic) violence, dating violence or stalking. A person called the "petitioner" or "plaintiff" may file a complaint with the Circuit Court against the "respondent" or "defendant" to stop or restrain the respondent from doing things such as:

• contacting the petitioner through any means (in person, by phone, by mail, or e-mail, etc.

• entering upon the petitioner's property or work place

• assaulting, attacking, beating or wounding the petitioner

• harassing, stalking or threatening the petitioner

• removing any minor children from where they live unless their removal is part of court-ordered visitation

• interfering with the petitioner's efforts to remove his/her children or property

• purchasing or possessing a firearm

Anyone who has been physically, emotionally, or sexually abused by a current or former spouse, a family member, a domestic partner, the other parent of your child, a current or former roommate, or a current or former person in a dating relationship. This is called a "domestic PPO".

Anyone who has been "stalked" - repeatedly harassed to the point of being terrorized, intimidated, or threatened. This is called a "stalking PPO".

A "do-it-yourself" PPO packet, containing instructions and necessary forms, is available at the County Clerk's office in the Otsego County Courthouse. There are different forms, depending on the type of PPO you are seeking (a "domestic" PPO versus a "stalking" PPO). You can also contact an attorney to prepare the documents for you.