Protective Orders
Online
Via Mail
In PersonDomestic Violence Protective Orders
There are three types of domestic protective orders: Emergency, Preliminary, and Permanent Protective Orders. An Emergency Protective Order (up to 72 hours) can be issued by a magistrate or a police officer. (If a warrant is issued for assault and battery against a family or household member and the magistrate finds there is probable danger of further acts of family abuse by the defendant, the magistrate is directed to issue an emergency protective order).
Preliminary (up to two weeks) and Permanent (up to two years) Protective Orders must be issued by a judge. You must contact an Intake Officer in person to obtain a domestic protective order. The Intake Office is located in the Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court Building, 4201 East Parham Road. The Intake Officer can assist you in filling out a petition form and arranging for you to appear before a judge. (Only the judge may issue the order of protection.) It is best to go to the Intake Office when it opens at 8:00 a.m., but you must see an Intake Officer before 11:30 a.m., so that the protective order will be put on the court docket by 1:00 p.m. that day. A victim advocate can assist you in this process. Please call us at (804) 501-1680.
You must have an address of the person you are filing against. Please note: it doesn’t have to be a home address it may be a work location. If you have any questions, you can contact Henrico Victim/Witness at (804) 501-1680 or the Intake Office at (804) 501-4693. If you have an emergency, dial 911.
It is a felony for any person who is the subject of a protective order to purchase or transport any firearm while the protective order is in effect.
Protective Order brochure created by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services
On line Protective Order documents
Stalking/Serious Bodily Injury Protective Orders
There are three types of stalking/serious bodily injury protective orders: Emergency, Preliminary, and Permanent Protective Orders. An Emergency Protective Order (up to 72 hours) can be issued by a magistrate or a police officer. (If a warrant is issued for assault and battery against a family or household member and the magistrate finds there is probable danger of further acts of family abuse by the defendant, the magistrate is directed to issue an emergency protective order.)
Preliminary (up to two weeks) and Permanent (up to two years) Protective Orders must be issued by a judge. If the stalking/assault charges are being heard in the General District Court, you must contact the civil clerk’s office (501-4727) in person to extend an emergency protective order and obtain a preliminary/ permanent protective order. If the charges are being heard in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, you must contact an Intake Officer in person located in the Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court Building, 4201 East Parham Road. The Intake Officer can assist you in filling out a petition form and arranging for you to appear before a judge. (Only the judge may issue the order of protection.) It is best to go to the Intake Office when it opens at 8:00 a.m., but you must see an Intake Officer before 11:30 a.m. so that the protective order will be put on the court docket by 1:00 p.m. that day. A victim advocate can assist you in this process. Please call us at (804) 501-1680.
It is a felony for any person who is the subject of a protective order to purchase or transport any firearm while the protective order is in effect.
