Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

INTERACTIVE APPLICATION FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROTECTION ORDERS NOW ONLINE

Victims of domestic violence can now fill out petitions for protection orders online, through a new interactive program on the Washington Courts website at www.courts.wa.gov/dv/online.cfm

Noting that a large percentage of those seeking protection orders in Washington Courts are not represented by attorneys, State Court Administrator Mary McQueen stated the importance of offering such innovative solutions to best serve the public. 

“We hope this new program will reduce any confusion faced by victims when filing for protection orders,” said McQueen.  “In the near future, we plan to develop more programs of this kind to help the expanding population of citizens who represent themselves in Washington Courts.”

A pilot project of the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) and the state-level Judicial Information System Committee, the easy-to-use program utilizes an interview format.   By asking a user a series of questions, the application fills out and automatically assembles the necessary forms.   

Following completion of the interview process, the application gives the user an opportunity to review the completed forms. The ready-to-file forms may then be printed, and must be delivered to a local court to receive the protection order.   

Due to the sensitive nature of domestic violence situations, victims are advised to take extra precautions when using the program, such as clearing the browser history on their computer, and checking the printer cue.  Step-by-step instructions for these precautions are included on the website.

This program was funded and programmed by the AOC in a joint project with the Washington State Access to Justice Board.

CONTACTS:   Mary C. McQueen, Administrative Office of the Courts 360-357-2120;  Tom Clarke, Administrative Office of the Courts 360-705-5304.

# # # # #