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1. Are there different kinds of PPOs?

Yes. There are two kinds of Personal Protection Orders (PPOs):

• Domestic Relations PPO - if the respondent is a current/former spouse, current/former dating relationship, current/former resident of your household, or you have a child in common.
• Stalking PPO - if you and the respondent do not have a domestic relationship, then you must establish that the respondent has been stalking you.

Note: Stalking must involve two or more "separate and non-continuous" acts. A single incident made up of a series of continuous acts, each immediately following the other, is not "stalking."

2. How is a PPO different from a "no-contact" bond condition?

A restraining order (including a personal protection order) is a civil action between citizens.

A "no-contact" bond condition can be imposed on a defendant during a pending criminal prosecution. It means that a defendant can not personally, or have a third-party contact, call, write, etc. the victim or any other party with whom the judge orders the defendant to have "no contact." This is a common bond condition for defendants charged with violent or assaultive crimes, and protects victims if the defendant is released from jail while the charge is pending. Like all other bond conditions (e.g, appearing at future court proceedings, not violating criminal laws, not leaving the state, etc.), any violation could cause the judge to raise or revoke the bond, in which case the defendant could remain in jail until the case is finished. 

A judge has the discretion to issue (or not issue) any bond condition, as he sees fit. A "no-contact condition" stays in effect for the entire duration of the criminal case, or until the victim requests that it be removed or "lifted" (with the judge's approval). A "no-contact" provision can also be imposed at the sentencing as part of the conditions of probation.

3. What if I don't qualify for a PPO?

If you do not meet the requirements to get a personal protection order (PPO), you may be able to get a "peace bond" which is available at the District Court Clerk's Office. Peace bonds are often used for neighbor and non-violent family disputes that do not support the issuance of a PPO.