Orders for Protection

What is an Order For Protection? 

An Order for Protection (or commonly called an "OFP") is a protective order that commands the offender to refrain from any contact or threats against with the person who filed the Petition. OFP's may also include orders for temporary custody when children are involved.

Who can file for an OFP?  

In Minnesota, any person who has experienced domestic abuse may apply for an OFP against a household or family member. You can also file for an OFP on behalf of your children, or children you have an interest in protecting.

Domestic Abuse is defined as any of the following conduct between family or household members:

-Actual physical harm, bodily injury, assaults, including threats of physical harm.

-Terroristic threats, such as a threats to injure or kill, or threatening someone with a dangerous weapon.

-Criminal sexual conduct with an adult (such as forced sex or forced contact with intimate body parts, even if the parties are married) or any form of sexual contact with a child.

-Interference with an emergency call.

Family or household members are defined by Minnesota statute 518B.01 as: 

a. Married persons

b. Persons who were married but are now divorced

c. Parents, children  

d. Persons related by blood or adoption (such as brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, or grandparents)  

e. Persons who live together now or who lived together in the past 

f. Persons who have a child together, even if they have not been married or lived together  g. Persons who have an unborn child together 

h. Persons involved in or who were involved in a significant romantic or sexual relationship (regardless of sexual orientation) 

If you or a loved one has experienced any sort of abuse within their relationship or household, please report it to the police, the call me for a consultation about getting an Order for Protection in place to protect you.