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Legal Information: Washington

Restraining Orders

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Updated: 
December 15, 2023

Step 5: Full court hearing

If you want to get a full order, you must go to the hearing. If you do not go to the hearing, your temporary order will expire and you will have to start the process over. If you absolutely cannot go to the hearing at the scheduled time, you may call the courthouse and ask how to request a later court date (“continuance”), if that is possible.

You may wish to hire a lawyer to represent you at the hearing, especially if the abuser has one.  If the abuser shows up with a lawyer, you can ask the judge for a continuance so that you have time to find a lawyer. Go to WA Finding a Lawyer to find help in your area. You can also represent yourself if you choose to or if you cannot find a lawyer. For tips on representing yourself, go to our At the Hearing page.

 

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