{"id":375695,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:20","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/ohio-law\/ohio-protective-orders-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-06-11T08:39:32","modified_gmt":"2025-06-11T13:39:32","slug":"ohio-protective-orders-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/ohio-law\/ohio-protective-orders-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Ohio Protective Orders Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Ohio Protective Orders Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Kit Yona, M.A.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

States have enacted a variety of laws to hold violent offenders accountable for their crimes and to end abuse of victims. Many states, including Ohio, have specific crimes related to domestic abuse and stalking. The Buckeye State also provides for court-issued protection orders<\/a>. These court orders can direct an abuser to stay away from the victim and the victim’s home, school, or place of work.<\/p>\r\n

Often referred to as restraining orders, Ohio protection orders can address other issues as well. They can allocate temporary custody of a minor child, assign possession of a shared residence, and more.<\/p>\r\n

Both criminal and civil courts can issue protection orders. Certain orders apply when the petitioner has a domestic or dating relationship with the abuser. In other cases, a victim may qualify for a protection order solely based on the offense at issue. There are four different types of protection orders available in Ohio, which can make it challenging to know which one you require.<\/p>\r\n

This article will explain the protection orders available, show what they can do, and walk you through the application and hearing process created by lawmakers in Columbus.<\/p>\r\n

If you need more general information about domestic violence law in Ohio, visit FindLaw’s Ohio Domestic Violence Laws<\/a> article.<\/p>\r\n

Ohio Protective Order Laws: Types of Orders<\/h2>\r\n

Ohio protective orders are split into two kinds of protection: civil case orders and criminal case orders.<\/p>\r\n

Victims can file for civil protection orders <\/b>whether or not the victim involved the police or the incident led to criminal charges. These orders can stay in effect for years<\/a> and may contain conditions beyond keeping the abuser away.<\/p>\r\n

In contrast, criminal protection orders<\/b> last for the duration of a trial and are often obtained through a district attorney or law enforcement. They’re intended to keep the accused and the victim separated until the case is adjudicated.<\/p>\r\n

Let’s take a look at each group and the common provisions that appear in these orders.<\/p>\r\n

Civil Protection Orders<\/h3>\r\n

Victims of domestic violence<\/a>, stalking, or sexually-oriented offenses can petition the civil court for a civil protection order against their abuser. Although the application process and how the orders function are similar, not everything is the same.<\/p>\r\n

Getting an Ohio domestic violence civil protection order <\/b>(DVCPO) or dating violence civil protection order<\/b> (DTCPO) requires proving elements of criminal conduct as well as the domestic or dating relationship of the parties. These orders become appropriate when certain abusive crimes occur between people considered family members, household members, or in a dating relationship.<\/p>\r\n

Some abusive crimes are eligible for a stalking or sexually- oriented offense protection order (SSOCPO)<\/b>. The relationship between the victim and the abuser is immaterial. Victims of any of the following criminal offenses<\/a> may qualify:<\/p>\r\n