• Increase font size
  • Decrease font size
  • Print
  • RSS
  • Orders of Protection

    The purpose of an Order of Protection is to restrain another person from committing an act of domestic violence, as defined in (ARS 13-3601A). To be granted an order, your relationship to the defendant must be one of the following:  

    • The relationship is one of marriage or former marriage or of persons residing or having resided in the same household.
    • A parent of a child of the defendant.
    • Pregnant by the defendant.
    • Related to the defendant or the defendant's spouse by blood or court order as a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, brother or sister or by marriage as a parent-in-law, grandparent-in-law, stepparent, step-grandparent, stepchild, step-grandchild, brother- in-law or sister-in-law.
    • A child who resides or has resided in the same household as the defendant and is related by blood to a former spouse of the defendant or to a person of the opposite sex who resides or who has resided in the same household as the defendant.
    • The relationship is currently or was previously a romantic or sexual relationship. The following factors may be considered in determining whether the relationship between the victim and the defendant is currently or was previously a romantic or sexual relationship:
    A.     The type of relationship.

    B.     The length of the relationship.

    C.     The frequency of the interaction between the victim and the defendant.

    D.     If the relationship has terminated, the length of time since the termination.

    An alleged crime of domestic violence must have been committed against you by one of the relations listed above, within the last year to obtain the order.

    The person filing the Order of Protection is called the plaintiff. The person against whom the order is filed is called the defendant. If the plaintiff is a minor, the petition must be filed by the parent, legal guardian or the person who has legal custody of the minor. Any order of protection sought against a person who is less than twelve years of age must be filed in the Juvenile Court.


    An Order of Protection may be filed through the AZPOINT (Arizona Protective Order Initiation and Notification Tool) website.

    After 5:00 p.m. weekdays, or at any time on a weekend or holiday, an emergency injunction against harassment can be filed by contacting the Sahuarita Police Department (520-344-7000) or the Pima County Sheriff's Department (520-547-6711). In case of an emergency call 911.

    What happens if the Order of Protection is granted?

    If the judge grants the order of protection, a member of the clerk's staff will complete the paperwork for you. The defendant must be served with the order before it becomes effective. Court staff will explain how the Defendant will be served. The order will be in effect for twelve (12) months. It is important to keep a copy of the order with you at all times.

    The defendant may file a Request for Hearing to contest, change or modify the order. Court staff will then schedule a hearing and all parties will be notified.  The plaintiff has the burden of proving the allegations to be true based on the preponderance of the evidence.

    Injunctions Against Harassment

    The purpose of an Injunction Against Harassment is to restrain a person from committing acts of harassment. Harassment, as defined by (ARS 12-1809R), is a series of acts over any period of time directed at a specific person that would cause, or has caused, a reasonable person to be seriously alarmed, annoyed or harassed and that serves no legitimate purpose.

    The person filing the injunction is called the plaintiff. The person against whom the injunction is filed is called the defendant. If the plaintiff is a minor, the petition must be filed by the parent, legal guardian or the person who has legal custody of the minor. Any injunction sought against a person who is less than twelve years of age must be filed in the Juvenile Court.

    An injunction may be filed through the AZPOINT (Arizona Protective Order Initiation and Notification Tool website.

    After 5:00 p.m. weekdays, or at any time on a weekend or holiday, an emergency injunction against harassment can be filed by contacting the Sahuarita Police Department (520-344-7000) or the Pima County Sheriff's Department (520-547-6711). In case of an emergency call 911.

    What happens if the injunction is granted?

    If the judge grants the injunction, the defendant must be served with the injunction before it becomes effective. Court staff will explain how to have the defendant served. While there is no fee for filing an injunction there is a fee for having it served. Once an order has been served, it will be in effect for twelve (12) months. It is important to keep a copy of the injunction with you at all times.

    The defendant may file a Request for Hearing to contest, change or modify the order. Court staff will then schedule a hearing and all parties will be notified. The location of the hearing will be determined by the location of the plaintiff's residence, either city or county. The court will mail a copy of the notice of hearing to you specifying the location, date and time of the hearing. The court will mail a copy of the notice of hearing to you specifying the location, date and time of the hearing.

    Injunctions Against Workplace Harassment

    The Injunction Against Workplace Harassment is very similar to an "Injunction Against Harassment." There are two basic differences between the regular injunction against harassment and the workplace injunction. A person petitions for a regular injunction, while a business or employer petitions for a workplace injunction. Also, a regular injunction protects and follows a person, whereas a workplace injunction protects a location and protects the business or employer, employees and any other person who enters the protected property.

    The person filing the injunction is called the plaintiff. The person against whom the order is filed is called the defendant. A petition may be filed through the AZPOINT (Arizona Protective Order Initiation and Notification Tool) website.

    After 5:00 p.m. weekdays, or at any time on a weekend or holiday, an emergency injunction against harassment can be filed by contacting the Sahuarita Police Department (520-344-7000) or the Pima County Sheriff's Department (520-547-6711). In case of an emergency call 911.

    What happens if the injunction is granted?

    If the judge grants the injunction, a member of the clerk's staff will complete the paperwork for you. The defendant must be served with the injunction before it becomes effective. Court staff will explain how to have the defendant served. While there is no fee for filing an injunction there is a fee for having it served. Once an order has been served, it will be in effect for twelve (12) months. It is important to keep a copy of the injunction with you at all times.

    The defendant may file a Request for Hearing to contest, change or modify the order. Court staff will then schedule a hearing and all parties will be notified. The location of the hearing will be determined by the location of the plaintiff's residence, either city or county. The court will mail a copy of the notice of hearing to you specifying the location, date and time of the hearing.

    The court will mail a copy of the notice of hearing to you specifying the location, date and time of the hearing.

    Defendant Instructions

    Once you have been served with the Complaint you have twenty (20) calendar days to file your answer with the Court.  If you are served by certified mail, the twenty (20) days begins when you sign the green certified mail postcard. If the date on the green certified mail postcard is missing or illegible, the time begins when the plaintiff files the return receipt with the court.


    Complete this section of the form that reads,

     "I do not owe the plaintiff because: ___________".

    Sign and date the form where provided.  Complete the Certificate of Service information requested on this section of the form.

    File Answer with the Court

    File a copy of your answer with the Green Valley Justice Court and pay the required filing fee.  If you do not answer and pay the filing fee within the 20-day time period, the plaintiff may file for a judgment by default.

    File Counter-Claim (if applicable)

    If you have a claim for money against the plaintiff, you may file a counterclaim at the same time as you file your answer. Counterclaim forms are available at the court.  There is no fee to file a counterclaim. On the form, list the amount the plaintiff owes and why.
    Write the date of mailing on the last page of the answer/counterclaim.

     

    Follow UsShare this page
    Justice Court - Green Valley

    601 N. La Cañada Drive
    Green Valley, AZ 85614

    Map

    Phone: (520) 222-0200
    Fax: (520) 648-2235 

    No-Reply Email: GVJC@COURTS.AZ.GOV

    Hours:
    Monday - Friday
    8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
    Closed weekends and legal holidays.

    Payments accepted 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 


    Department Home Page
    Department Directory