How to Get a Protection Order in Arkansas
Plain-language guidance for survivors seeking a protection order in Arkansas.
Protection Orders in Arkansas: Basic Guide
What a Protection Order Is in Arkansas
In Arkansas, a protection order (often called an “order of protection”) is a court order that can help limit or stop contact from a person who has been violent, threatening, or abusive. It is a civil order, which means it is separate from any criminal charges that might exist.
A protection order can set rules about contact, living arrangements, and sometimes temporary child-related issues. The goal is to reduce immediate risk and create clearer boundaries while other steps are being sorted out.
This information is general and may not match every situation. Procedures and forms in Arkansas can change, and different courts may handle details in slightly different ways.
Who May Qualify to File
Arkansas law focuses on certain types of relationships when deciding who can ask for an order of protection. In many cases, a person may qualify to file if the abusive person is:
- A current or former spouse
- Someone the person lives with or has lived with
- Someone they have a child with
- A relative by blood or marriage (such as a parent, child, or other family member)
- A current or former dating partner, including someone they were romantically or sexually involved with
Some forms of stalking or harassment may also qualify, even if the people are not in a family or romantic relationship. How the relationship is defined can matter, so it can be helpful to ask a local advocate or legal resource if a situation fits the requirements in Arkansas.
There is no requirement to be a Canadian resident or to have immigration status in Canada for U.S. protection order processes. This page is focused only on Arkansas, USA.
Where to Get Forms and Where to File
In Arkansas, protection order forms are usually available from:
- Clerk’s offices at county courts (often circuit courts)
- Local domestic violence or family violence shelters and advocacy organizations
- Some prosecutor’s offices or victim assistance programs
Most people file their request (petition) at the courthouse in the county where they live, where the abusive person lives, or where the abuse happened. A clerk can usually explain which court handles orders of protection in that county and how to submit the papers.
Many domestic violence advocates can help with filling out the paperwork, understanding the questions, and planning for safety around court dates. They do not represent someone in court the way a lawyer does, but they may attend hearings for support and information.
Courthouse staff can explain the process and forms but cannot give legal advice. If possible, consider contacting a legal aid office or domestic violence legal clinic in Arkansas for legal information or representation.
Step-by-Step Overview of the Process
1. Completing and Filing the Petition
The process usually begins by filling out a petition for an order of protection. In this form, the person describes:
- The relationship with the abusive person
- What has happened (violence, threats, stalking, or other harmful behavior)
- What protections they are asking the court to put in place
The petition is then filed with the court clerk. In many Arkansas courts, there is no fee to file for a domestic violence protection order, but this can vary by situation and court.
2. Emergency or Temporary Protection Orders
After the petition is filed, a judge may review it the same day or within a short time. If the judge believes there is an immediate risk of harm, they may issue a temporary or emergency order without waiting for the other person to come to court first.
This temporary order usually lasts only until a full hearing can be held. It commonly includes rules about no contact and staying away from the person and sometimes their home, workplace, or school.
Emergency procedures vary by county. In some areas, on-call judges can grant orders after regular court hours, especially when law enforcement is involved.
3. Service of the Papers on the Other Person
For the order to be enforceable long term, the abusive person usually must receive (be “served with”) copies of the petition, the temporary order, and the notice of the hearing date.
In Arkansas, service is usually done by law enforcement or another authorized person, not by the survivor personally. The court clerk or a victim advocate can explain how service is arranged in that county.
There can be delays if the abusive person is hard to locate. This may affect how quickly the court can move to a final hearing.
4. The Full Court Hearing
The court will schedule a full hearing, usually within a relatively short time after the temporary order is granted. At this hearing:
- The person asking for protection can testify, present documents, and bring witnesses.
- The abusive person has the chance to respond, testify, and bring their own witnesses or evidence.
- The judge reviews the evidence and decides whether to issue a longer-term protection order and what conditions to include.
Both people may bring lawyers, but it is also possible to appear without a lawyer. Local domestic violence advocates sometimes attend hearings to provide information and emotional support.
What a Protection Order Can Include
A protection order in Arkansas can include several types of relief. Every case is different, but common requests include:
- No contact: Ordering the abusive person not to call, text, email, message, or otherwise contact the protected person, directly or through others.
- Stay-away provisions: Requiring the abusive person to stay away from the protected person’s home, work, school, or other specific places.
- Exclusive use of the home: Temporarily giving the protected person the right to stay in the shared residence and requiring the abusive person to move out, even if their name is on the lease or deed.
- Temporary child-related arrangements: Setting short-term rules about custody, parenting time/visitation, exchanges, and communication about the children, when children are involved.
- Firearm restrictions: In some situations, limiting the abusive person’s ability to have guns or requiring them to turn them in, according to state and federal law.
- Other safety conditions: Any other conditions the judge believes are necessary for safety, which might include not damaging property, not interfering with utilities, or returning important documents or personal items.
Protection orders are not the same as criminal charges, but violating an order can lead to arrest or criminal consequences. Enforcement details can depend on local law enforcement practices in Arkansas.
How Long a Protection Order Can Last
Arkansas protection orders do not all last the same amount of time. The length can depend on:
- Whether the order is temporary or final
- What the judge decides is appropriate in the case
- Whether the order is later renewed, extended, or modified
Temporary or emergency orders usually last only until the next court hearing. Final orders may last longer, and some may be eligible for renewal before they expire. To extend an order, a person often needs to return to court and explain why continued protection is needed.
Why Local Arkansas Resources Matter
Each Arkansas county may run the protection order process a bit differently. Details can change, including:
- Which court handles the case
- What the forms look like and how to fill them out
- How quickly hearings are scheduled
- What support services are available at the courthouse
Because laws, rules, and forms can change, it is important to confirm current procedures with local Arkansas resources such as domestic violence programs, legal aid offices, or court self-help centers. These services can explain the latest requirements, help with paperwork, and offer safety planning ideas.
Some additional information about domestic violence support options in the United States, including Arkansas, can also be found through resources listed at https://www.dv.support.
Staying Oriented Through the Process
Filing for a protection order can feel overwhelming. Breaking it into steps—getting information, filling out forms, filing with the court, attending hearings, and following up on safety planning—can make it more manageable. Local advocates and legal services are often familiar with how Arkansas courts handle these cases and can help someone think through options before and after filing.