A T.P.O. is a Temporary Protective Order. It is a court order signed by a judge which prohibits the person who has abused you from harassing, harming, contacting, or mistreating you.
Additionally, a T.P.O. may include specific instructions preventing your abuser from coming within a specified distance from your home, work, or child’s school/daycare. A T.P.O. may also require the abuser to leave the home of the victim, grant temporary custody of children, and make provisions for temporary child support payments.
Under the Georgia Family Violence Act, a person may seek a Temporary Protective Order against an abuser who is:
- Your current or former spouse
- The other parent of your child
- Someone who currently lives with you, or who has formerly lived with you
- Your parent, step-parent, or foster parent
- Your child, step-child, or foster child
To qualify, one or more of the following acts must have been committed against you:
- Any felony violation
- Simple Assault
- Simple Battery
- Battery
- Criminal Damage to Property
- Unlawful Restraint
To obtain a Temporary Protective Order (T.P.O.) if you are a Barrow County resident, you can call Peace Place at (770) 586-0927 or the Barrow County Clerk of Superior Court (770) 307-3035. If you live in another county, please contact your local District Attorney’s Office.
A T.P.O. must be filed in the county where the offender resides. Local law enforcement will serve the T.P.O. to the individual. Once served, the order is effective throughout the State of Georgia for a period of 30 days. A second hearing can extend the order for up to 6 months.