Applying for a Protective Order

If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

If you need emergency shelter, call the 24-hour Mission Granbury crisis hotline at 817-579-6848.

What is a Protective Order?

  • A Protective Order is a civil lawsuit against another person. The Court may only grant a Protective Order for one of the following reasons:
    1. If there have been acts of family violence and family violence is likely to recur in the future as defined in the Texas Family Code;
    2. If a person is a victim of sexual assault as defined in the Texas Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure;
    3.  If a person is a victim of stalking as defined in the Texas Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure; or
    4. If a person is a victim of human trafficking as defined in the Texas Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure.
  • A Protective Order may include an applicant and children, if necessary.
  • A Protective Order may prohibit the Respondent from contacting, threatening, harassing, intimidating, following, and assaulting the protected person or persons. 
  • The Order may also prohibit a person from coming within a certain distance of a person’s home, school, or workplace. 
  • The Order may also prohibit the Respondent from possessing a firearm.
  • A Protective Order may be filed in the county where you live, in the county where the Respondent lives, or in the county where the abuse occurred.
  • The duration of a Protective Order may vary depending on an Applicant’s particular needs.
  • If you qualify for a Protective Order, there is no charge to you for filing. The County Attorney’s Office will represent you.
  • A Protective Order is enforceable in all fifty states.

How to Begin the Process:

  • You may access our Protective Order Information document online (see links below).
  • You may complete the Protective Order Questionnaire:
    • By printing it and bringing it to our office;
    • By saving it and emailing it to our Victim Services Clerk via email or to our office manager via email; or
    • By coming to our office and completing it.

Any additional information you can provide will help expedite the process, for example; pictures, threatening text messages or emails, witness information, offense reports, copy of divorce or previous Protective Orders, CPS case numbers and as much information about the abuser. This information can be attached or emailed with your application.

If you are still living with the abuser and completing the questionnaire at home or online will put you in danger, please come to our office to complete the form.

Here Are Our Protective Order Documents:

For information about Protective Orders, read our

Protective Order Information

To begin the Protective Order process, you need to complete the

Protective Order Questionnaire

Evaluation and Interview Appointment:


  • Once you complete the Protective Order Questionnaire and return it to our office one of our attorneys will review it.
  • If you qualify for a Protective Order, we will set up an appointment with you to meet with an attorney.
  • During your interview appointment, we will discuss your situation, your individual needs, and complete your affidavit.

Filing the Application & Temporary ex parte Order:

  • After your interview appointment, an attorney will prepare and file your Application for a Protective Order and your Request for a Temporary ex parte Order.
  • Once we file your Application for a Protective Order with the Court, the first official Court action is the granting of a Temporary ex parte Protective Order.
  • Once the Respondent is personally served with a copy of the Temporary ex parte Order, it will be effective and you will be protected.
  • A Respondent who violates a Temporary ex parte Protective Order may be arrested under §25.07 Texas Penal Code.

Protective Order Hearing:

  • The Court will schedule a hearing on your final Protective Order.
  • You will need to attend the hearing and provide testimony.
  • A member of our Victim Services staff may accompany you for the hearing upon your request.

Questions?

  • See our website for more details or call us at 817-579-3216 (ask for Victim Services).