What is a Violence Criminal Temporary Protection Order (DVTPO), and how do I obtain one?
A Violence Criminal Temporary Protection Order (DVTPO) is obtained through a Municipal Court when a charge of domestic violence is brought before the court. The person asking for the DVTPO (petitioner) is requesting that the accused be ordered to have no contact with the petitioner or with anyone else involved in the case (children in home, etc). Once the motion is granted it then becomes a Court Order. The DVTPO prohibits the accused from any contact. This applies to contact made in person, by telephone, email, etc. The victim should report any violation to the Police Department, or the Prosecutor’s office. At that time the court may bring a new charge of violating a Domestic Violence Criminal Temporary Protection Order against the accused. The DVTPO remains in effect until the case has been disposed of. Once the case is over, the court no longer has jurisdiction, and therefore the DVTPO has automatically ended. The motion for a DVTPO is often heard on the day of arraignment. The peti
