• What is an injunction?

An injunction is a Court order, also referred to as a restraining order, which directs a person not to have any contact with you.

• How can I get an Injunction?

Please contact the Victim's Advocate at 326-7676 or contact a clerk in the Family Division.

To obtain a Restraining Order, you must appear in person, in the Family Division in Room 218 of the Putnam County Courthouse.  You must have a photo I.D. with signature.  If you have a Police Report, please bring this with you. 

Please come as early as possible, as this process may take 3 to 5 hours.  The Clerk's hours are 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.  No new petitions will be processed after 5:00 PM unless you cannot find shelter through family, friends, or Local shelters until the next business day.

• What are the requirements for filing a Petition for Injunction?

Domestic Violence

This action is available if the respondent presently resides with you, or has lived with you in the past as a member of the family, such as a spouse, former spouse, person related by blood or marriage, person who has lived together with you as though he/she were your spouse, or person with whom you have had a child, even if you have never lived together. 

Repeat Violence

This action is available if you have been a victim of assault, battery or other specific acts of violence by the respondent. There must have been two (2) occurrences or acts of physical or sexual abuse, and one (1) occurrence must have been in the last six (6) months. The Judge may require you to furnish the police reports as filed. The following conditions should also be met:

• You and respondent are not related by blood;
  
• You and respondent have no children together; and
  
• You and respondent have never lived together as a family.

Sexual Violence

This action is available if:

• You have reported the sexual violence to a law enforcement agency and are cooperating in any criminal proceeding against the respondent, AND

• The respondent who committed the sexual violence was sentenced to a term of imprisonment in State prison and the term of imprisonment has expired or is due to expire within 90 days following the date the petition is filed.

A sexual violence restraining order may also be filed by an adult for any one incident of sexual battery, lewd or lascivious act committed upon or in presence of a person younger than 16 yrs of age, luring or enticing a child, sexual performance by a child or any other forcible Felony wherein a sexual act is committed or attempted.

Dating Violence

This action is available if you and respondent have, or have had, a continuing and significant relationship of a romantic or significant nature, which is determined based on consideration of the following factors:

• The dating relationship existed within the last 6 months;
  
• The nature of the relationship is characterized by the expectation of affection or sexual involvement between the parties; and
  
• The frequency and type of interaction must be based on the parties' involvement over time and on a continuous basis during the course of the relationship.