Twelfth Judicial District Court

The Domestic Violence Section is responsible for processing filings under the Family Violence Protection Act. The Act authorizes the Court to issue a domestic violence order of protection to prevent further abuse of a victim of domestic violence.

The Domestic Violence Section provides intake services in connection with domestic violence filings. The Clerk's Office provides the public with pre-printed forms for use in domestic violence proceedings. A private and secure room is also available for use by domestic violence petitioners in completing the forms for filing for an order of protection.

There is no fee for filing a petition seeking an order of protection or to obtain the necessary forms from the Clerk's Office to file. The forms are designed for use by self-represented ("pro se") parties in order to accommodate those petitioners who cannot afford to retain a private attorney for legal representation in domestic violence proceedings.