Order for Protection

An Order for Protection (OFP) is a legal court order issued by a judge to protect a victim of domestic abuse from a family or household member.

A GUIDE ON HOW TO NAVIGATE AN OFP

Evidence that should be gathered before filing an Order for Protection.

Before filing an OFP, enough evidence should be gathered. Evidence such as texts, pictures, reports of abuse will be helpful in moving forward with the OFP.

Printable Document | Evidence to Gather Before Filing an OFP

Evidence to Gather Before Filing an OFP

I. Incident Documentation
☐ Create a timeline of incidents (dates, times, locations)
☐ Write a detailed summary of each incident while memories are fresh
☐ Note any witnesses present during incidents
☐ Record any police report numbers
☐ Document any injuries or property damage
☐ List any prior protective orders or court cases involving the respondent


II. Text Messages & Electronic Communications
☐ Text messages
☐ iMessages
☐ WhatsApp messages
☐ Facebook Messenger messages
☐ Instagram messages
☐ Snapchat messages (screenshots if available)
☐ Emails
☐ Voicemails
☐ Call logs showing repeated calls
☐ Social media posts or comments directed at you
☐ Screenshots showing dates, times, and sender information
☐ Backups of all electronic evidence



III. Photos & Videos
☐ Photos of injuries
☐ Photos showing bruising progression over time
☐ Photos of damaged property
☐ Photos of weapons involved (if applicable)
☐ Security camera footage
☐ Ring doorbell footage
☐ Cell phone videos
☐ Screenshots of threatening social media content

IV. Medical Records
☐ Emergency room records
☐ Urgent care records
☐ Doctor visit records
☐ Therapy or counseling records (if relevant)
☐ Medical bills related to injuries
☐ Discharge instructions
☐ Photographs taken by medical providers



V. Law Enforcement & Government Records
☐ Police reports
☐ Sheriff reports
☐ 911 call records
☐ Body camera footage requests
☐ Criminal complaint documents
☐ No-contact orders
☐ Prior OFP or restraining order records
☐ Child protection reports (if applicable)




VI. Witness Evidence
☐ Names and contact information of witnesses
☐ Written statements from witnesses
☐ Statements from family members
☐ Statements from neighbors
☐ Statements from coworkers
☐ Statements from teachers, coaches, or childcare providers (if relevant)
☐ List of witnesses willing to testify at a hearing




VII. Stalking / Harassment Evidence
☐ Records of unwanted visits
☐ Photos or videos of respondent appearing at your home/work/school
☐ GPS tracking evidence (if applicable)
☐ Notes documenting surveillance behavior
☐ Evidence of repeated contact after being told to stop
☐ Evidence of following or monitoring behavior
☐ Evidence of contact through third parties




VIII. Child-Related Evidence (If Children Are Involved)
☐ School records
☐ Attendance records
☐ Communications involving the children
☐ Evidence children witnessed abuse
☐ Custody or parenting time orders
☐ Police reports involving the children
☐ Medical records involving the children
☐ Statements from childcare providers or teachers




IX.  Financial / Property Evidence (If Relevant)
☐ Property damage estimates
☐ Repair invoices
☐ Receipts for damaged items
☐ Evidence of financial control or coercion
☐ Bank records showing unauthorized activity
☐ Evidence of destroyed or withheld property





Final Review Before Filing
☐ Can I prove each allegation with evidence?
☐ Have I identified witnesses for major incidents?
☐ Are all screenshots readable and dated?
☐ Are all photos labeled with dates and descriptions?
☐ Have I backed up all electronic evidence?
☐ Is my timeline complete and accurate?
☐ Do my exhibits match the allegations in my petition?
☐ Have I removed duplicate or unnecessary documents?

Safety Checklist After Filing an OFP

Safety comes first after filing an Order for Protection.

Printable Document | Safety Checklist

A Safety Checklist

I – Read the Entire OFP

What does it say?

  • No contact issued

  • Social media contact

  • Distance required between Petitioner and Respondent

II – Stop All Contact

Do not communicate with Respondent, unless certain stipulations issued

  • Do not text Respondent

  • Do not call Respondent

  • Do not message/react to Respondent on social media

  • Do not meet up with Respondent

  • Do not attempt to negotiate issues with Respondent outside of court

III – Inform Important Places

Informing important places can help keep you, and others safe. Telling these places to call 911 if the Respondent violates the order.

  • Informing school

  • Informing workplace

  • Informing daycare

  • Informing trusted family members

  • Informing neighbors/roomates

IV – Documentation

Do not communicate with Respondent, unless certain stipulations issued

  • Do not text Respondent

  • Do not call Respondent

  • Do not message/react to Respondent on social media

  • Do not meet up with Respondent

  • Do not attempt to work out issues with Respondent outside of court

V – Call Police if Respondent Violates Order

Know that if 911 is called, and it is proven the Respondent violates the order, they will be arrested

  • If the Respondent messages or calls you outside of stipulations, call the 911 emergency line

  • If the Respondent enters the residence or goes on the property, call the 911 emergency line

  • If the Respondent messages you on social media, or other parties on the OFP, call the 911 emergency line.

VI – Improve Home Safety

Improving home safety will help you and others stay safe

  • Change locks on all doors

  • Lock all doors and windows

  • Copy keys, and hide one in a different place (that Respondent does not know of)

  • Consider purchasing cameras

VII – Create an Emergency Safety Plan

Creating a safe, and secure emergency plan if you feel threatened or fearful

  • Have emergency contacts

  • Keep important documents safe, but accessible

  • Have a back up residence to go to (parents, grandparents, sibling, friend, hotel, etc.)

VIII – Prepare for Court Hearing

Preparing truthful, and helpful documents can aid you in court

  • Reach out to a lawyer

  • Record a timeline of events

  • Document if OFP is violated

  • Screenshot texts, emails, etc.

  • Police reports

  • Witness statements

X – Take Care of Personal Emotional Health

It is important to take care of your personal mental health in a difficult situation

  • Reach out to a domestic violence advocate

  • Confide in support groups

  • If minors are involved, school counselors and teachers can help

Order for Protection: Hearing Checklist

Printable Document | Hearing Checklist 
Case Information
☐ Case number recorded
☐ Hearing date and time confirmed
☐ Court location or remote hearing instructions obtained
☐ Judge assigned (if known)
☐ Copy of Petition for Order for Protection
☐ Copy of Temporary/Ex Parte OFP (if one was issued)
☐ Copy of Respondent's Answer or Response (if available)
Communications
☐ Text messages
☐ Emails
☐ Social media messages
☐ Voicemails
☐ Call logs
☐ Screenshots printed and labeled
Petitioner Witnesses
☐ Witness list prepared
☐ Contact information confirmed
☐ Witnesses notified of hearing
☐ Subpoenas issued if necessary
Respondent Witnesses
☐ Known witnesses identified
☐ Anticipated testimony summarized
☐ Cross-examination topics prepared

Medical Records
☐ Hospital records
☐ Clinic records
☐ Therapy/counseling records (if relevant)
☐ Medical bills
Requested Relief
Review and confirm what relief is being requested:
☐ No contact order
☐ Exclusion from residence
☐ Stay-away provisions
☐ Temporary custody
☐ Parenting-time restrictions
☐ Child support
☐ Protection for additional family/household members
☐ Firearm restrictions (if applicable)
☐ Other requested relief identified
Timeline of Events
☐ Prepare a chronological timeline of incidents
☐ Include dates, locations, and descriptions
☐ Note any police involvement
☐ Note any medical treatment
☐ Note any witnesses present
☐ Highlight the most serious incidents
☐ Identify the most recent incident
Photographs & Videos
☐ Injury photographs
☐ Property damage photographs
☐ Videos
☐ Dates identified for each image/video

Final Hearing Preparation
☐ Outline of direct testimony prepared
☐ Key facts organized by incident
☐ Exhibits numbered and labeled
☐ Copies prepared for:
☐ Court
☐ Opposing party
☐ Client file
☐ Objections/issues identified
☐ Questions for witnesses prepared
☐ Rebuttal evidence identified
Law Enforcement Records
☐ Police reports
☐ Incident reports
☐ 911 call records
☐ Criminal complaint (if applicable)

Other Documents
☐ Prior OFPs or restraining orders
☐ School records (if children involved)
☐ Employment records (if relevant)
☐ Custody/parenting-time orders
☐ Other supporting documents
Children (If Applicable)
☐ Names and ages of children
☐ Allegations involving children identified
☐ School/daycare information gathered
☐ Parenting-time concerns documented
☐ Child-related evidence organized
☐ Requested protections for children identified