There are Three Ways to Get an Order of Protection

1. In criminal court, when you sign a criminal complaint against your abuser.

2. You can get an independent order of protection In civil court.

3. You can get an order of protection in civil court along with another civil action, like a divorce, child support and/or custody action.

There are Three Types of Orders of Protection

These vary by the length of time the Order of Protection is in effect, and the kinds of remedies you can get in the OP:

• Emergency Order of Protection (EOP)
  
  You can obtain this OP when an emergency exists which would make it dangerous to tell the abuser that you are coming to court to get help.  Requesting an emergency OP is usually the way the case begins.  You can obtain one without notice to the abuser. This OP can last up to 21 days, when there will be another court date. After you obtain an emergency OP, the abuser will be served by the Sheriff or police to provide notification that the Order of Protection exists, and telling the abuser to come to court on the next court date. You cannot get certain remedies until the abuser is served, such as support or child custody, although your children can be protected from abuse and snatching until the next court date.
• Interim Order of Protection
  
  You may get this type of OP after the abuser has been served but before the case is finalized.  If you or the abuser seek a continuance at the next court date, you may receive an interim OP which lasts for 30 days.
• Plenary Order of Protection
  
  This type of order is given either at the end of a case, or while a case is pending and the next court date is more than 30 days away.  In this type of order, which can last for two (2) years or more, you can receive all of the remedies available under the IDVA including those involving money, like child support, counseling, and child custody.