Orders of Protection: What They Are & How to File
- The Friendship Center
- Jun 27
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 30
Our new resource page is an excellent starting place to learn what an Order of Protection is, what to expect when you file one, and how The Friendship Center can help with the process.
Sometimes referred to as a restraining order, an Order of Protection (OOP) is a court order designed to stop violent and harassing behavior of someone you're afraid of. It is meant to protect you and your family members from someone who has harmed or threatened to harm you. Someone does not need to be charged with a crime, and abuse does not need to be reported to law enforcement to ask for an OOP.
If you're concerned about your safety, and wondering what protections an OOP can offer you and how to file one, our new resource page dedicated to OOPs is an excellent starting place to learn what these court orders cover, what the petition process looks like, and free resources that are out there for petitioners.
To qualify for an OOP, you need to show a judge that you are in reasonable fear of bodily harm. An OOP can be placed on a family member or current or former intimate partner. They can also offer protection against somebody who is stalking you or has sexually assaulted you or a family member. There is no cost to file an OOP in Montana, and you don’t need legal representation to get one. Advocates at The Friendship Center can help you fill out your petition for an OOP, discuss any safety concerns you have, and come to your court hearing for support. We can also help connect you with an attorney who can represent you at your Order of Protection hearing free of charge if you don’t want to represent yourself.
The protection an OOP offers is significant, making it a valuable tool for safety planning. The process of filing and appearing in court, however, can be confusing and intimidating, particularly if you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed after you’ve been harmed or threatened. The Friendship Center and our community partners are here to help so you don’t have to go through this alone.
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