An Order of Protection is a court order, signed by a judge, to promote the safety and protection of victims of partner and family member assault, sexual assault, and stalking. 

A person seeking an order of protection (the Petitioner) must meet certain eligibility requirements by law. For example, the person inflicting the abuse or making threats (the Respondent) must be: a family member, intimate partner, or former intimate partner; stalker; perpetrator of past physical or sexual assault; or has assaulted you, whether or not you have had an intimate relationship with that person. 

In a protection order, the judge may: prohibit the offender from threatening to hurt you or hurting you; direct the offender to leave your home and prohibit any contact with you; prevent the offender from transferring any property except in the usual course of business; prohibit the offender from being within a certain distance from you, any protected party, and your workplace or other specified place; give you possession of necessary personal property; and prohibit the offender from possessing or using the firearm used in the assault. 

Individuals wishing to file a Petition for a Temporary Order of Protection may file in person at the Bozeman Municipal Court. 

• Please submit all necessary documents to the court for a judge's review. 
• An adult may not file a petition on behalf of another adult as a protected party unless the filer is a parent of a minor, legal guardian, a conservator, or agent acting on behalf of the third party. 
• If granted, the Court will issue a Temporary Order of Protection that will need to be served upon the Respondent by law enforcement. 
• A court date will be scheduled within 20 days.
• Both the Petitioner and the Respondent have the right to testify and present evidence at the hearing, where the judge will determine if the Order of Protection will be continued and/or modified. 
• Both the Petitioner and the Respondent have the right to hire an attorney; however, it is not required. 

If you are a victim of a violent crime, please contact the City of Bozeman Victim Services Program to speak with an advocate at (406) 577-7409.

HAVEN can be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (406) 586-4111 or at havenmt.org for immediate assistance or for more information regarding domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault services in our area.