Domestic Abuse/Harassment
Juvenile and Family Justice Center
Domestic Abuse/Harassment Office
25 West 7th St. #B122
St. Paul, MN 55102
(651) 266-5130
Court Operations Associates in our office are here to provide you with information regarding Orders for Protection and Harassment Restraining Orders and Extreme Risk Protection Orders. We cannot provide legal advice. We strongly encourage you to use MN Guide and File which is a web-based electronic tool that helps you create and file forms online. MN Guide and File is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. MN Guide and File is not available for Extreme Fisk Protection Orders at this time. If this technology is not avaialble to you, we can provide you the packets in paper form. Once you have completed your paperwork and submitted it to our office, either in paper form or electronically, the Court Operations Associates will forward your pleadings to a judicial officer for review. You will be contacted by our office with the judicial officer's decision and next steps.
Our office is part of a community collaborative that provide services to victims of domestic abuse. Additional assistance may be available for you. Please visit Bridges to Safety's website for additional information or call them at (651) 266-9901.
What is an Order for Protection (OFP) and a Harassment Restraining Order (HRO)?
See Basics on Domestic Abuse & Harassment »
Will a hearing be required?
It depends. A request for certain relief will require a hearing; the Petitioner may request a hearing; the Respondent may request a hearing within the time provided in statute; or the Judge may order a hearing.
How long after I turn in my paperwork will I know if the judicial officer has granted or denied my request?
Decisions are typically made within one business day.
How is the paperwork served upon (received by) the Respondent?
If an address is provided for the Respondent, the court operations associate will forward the order to the appropriate law enforcement agency to be served.
Law enforcement will attempt to personally serve the Respondent at the addresses that the Petitioner provided, with copies of the Petition, resulting Order, and notices.
The Petitioner may call law enforcement to find out if the order was served.
If a court hearing is set the Petitioner must appear in court, regardless of service results.
If there is no court appearance set and service is unsuccessful, the Petitioner may return to the Domestic Abuse and Harassment Office and request alternate service by completing and filing an Affidavit and Order for Alternate Service or Publication.
How does a person dismiss or change an Order?
The party seeking a change to the Order needs to file the appropriate paperwork to motion to amend or dismiss the order along with a filing fee, if required.
What if the Petitioner Moves?
File a Notice of Change of Address with the Domestic Abuse and Harassment Office or if Petitioner's address is confidential, file a Confidential Address/Phone Request.
What if a party needs an interpreter?
Contact the Domestic Abuse/Harassment Office at (651) 266-5130 so that a court operations associate may arrange for an interpreter for appointments and court appearances.
May I be represented by an attorney?
You may choose to retain an attorney to represent you or you may represent yourself, however attorneys (i.e. public defenders) are not appointed to represent you in Domestic Abuse/Harassment cases.
How do I request a continuance for my court hearing?
You must submit any request and supporting documentation to continue the matter in writing, as soon as possible. The request will be forwarded to the Judicial Officer and the response, if any, will be provided to you.
What Happens at Court?
- The first appearance is usually a remote hearing. Plan for 1-2 hours as several cases may be scheduled for the same time.
- At the first hearing, the judicial officer may present the respondent with options to agree to the issuance of the order or to request an evidentiary hearing. If the respondent requests an evidentiary hearing, the evidentiary hearing is usually scheduled for another date.
- At an evidentiary hearing, the judicial officer will hear testimony and consider the evidence presented. Once the evidentiary hearing has concluded, the judicial officer will decide whether to grant or deny the relief requested.
What should I do if the Respondent violates the order?
Contact law enforcement to report the violation.