When does an Ohio court have jurisdiction to issue a domestic violence civil protection order (CPO)?
An Ohio domestic relations court has jurisdiction to issue a domestic violence CPO in any case where one or more acts of domestic violence were committed in Ohio or when the abuser is living in Ohio. Even if the abuser is now living in another state, if he committed acts of domestic violence against a victim in Ohio, an Ohio court may issue a CPO. If none of the acts of domestic violence (including threats) occurred in Ohio and the abuser lives in another state, the Ohio court may lack personal jurisdiction over the abuser and be unable to issue a CPO against him. However, if and when the abuser comes to Ohio, the victim may request and obtain a CPO if she can persuade the court that she is in danger because of the abuser’s past acts of domestic violence and his presence in Ohio. The most difficult cases are cases where the abuser committed all his acts of physical violence in another state, still lives in that state, and the victim has fled to Ohio. Some courts may still grant a CPO t
