questions & answers

Question: I filed and received an Order Of Protection, including the exclusive rights to my house and property. That was around the 3rd of June. The Judge said they would serve it at no cost by that day or the very next day. They did not make it by on the same day. The next day everyone had to leave the house due to the house being chemically fumigated. So the Order was not served. I assumed they would return and they have not. Also the police have been back to the house since then due to the same reasons I acquired the Order. I told them about the Order and they made it seem like its not valid? Is that true?

Answer: Orders of Protection are not valid until served on the defendant. The order of the Protection must be served within one year of its issuance and is valid for one year from the date the order is issued. Only law enforcement or a registered process server can serve the Order of Protection. The courts recommend that, until the order is served, you keep a copy of the order in your possession so that law enforcement can complete service on the defendant if the defendatn comes near you.  Any court will be able to provide a list of Law Enforcement Agencies that can serve the Order of Protection. To find a courthouse near you, use the Arizona Court Locator.