PPO - Personal Protection Order

What is a Personal Protection Order (PPO)?

A Personal Protection Order (PPO) is a Circuit Court injunctive order that protects victims of family (domestic) violence, dating violence or stalking. A person called the “petitioner” or “plaintiff” may file a complaint with the Circuit Court against the “respondent” or “defendant” to stop or restrain the respondent from doing things such as:

  • contacting the petitioner through any means (in person, by phone, by mail, or e-mail, etc.
  • entering upon the petitioner’s property or work place 
  • assaulting, attacking, beating or wounding the petitioner 
  • harassing, stalking or threatening the petitioner 
  • removing any minor children from where they live unless their removal is part of court-ordered visitation 
  • interfering with the petitioner’s efforts to remove his/her children or property 
  • purchasing or possessing a firearm