Domestic Violence Protection Order

IMPORTANT: THIS IS A PREPARATION GUIDE — NOT THE OFFICIAL COURT FORM

Arkansas courts require the use of official court-approved forms for domestic violence
order of protection petitions. This template provides the substantive legal content to
help you prepare — but you must transfer your content to the official form required by
your local court before filing. Contact your county circuit clerk's office or visit
https://arcourts.gov/administration/domestic-violence-forms for the required forms.
Do not file this document directly with the court.

DISCLAIMER
This template is provided for general drafting and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and may require modification to comply with local rules and the facts of a particular matter. Counsel licensed in Arkansas should review and customize this form before filing or relying on it.

PROPOSED ORDER OF PROTECTION

(Domestic Abuse – Arkansas)

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF [___] COUNTY, ARKANSAS
DOMESTIC RELATIONS DIVISION

Case No.: [___]

Petitioner: [Full Legal Name] (“Petitioner”)
v.
Respondent: [Full Legal Name] (“Respondent”)

Effective Date: [______ __, 20__]
Expiration Date: [______ __, 20__] (fixed period of not less than 90 days and not more than ten (10) years, in the court's discretion, renewable at a subsequent hearing – Ark. Code Ann. § 9-15-205(b))

☐ Temporary (Ex Parte) Order (Ark. Code Ann. § 9-15-206)
☐ Final Order After Hearing (Ark. Code Ann. §§ 9-15-204, 9-15-205)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Document Header
II. Definitions
III. Operative Provisions
IV. Representations & Warranties
V. Covenants & Restrictions
VI. Default & Remedies
VII. Risk Allocation (Intentionally Limited)
VIII. Dispute Resolution & Continuing Jurisdiction
IX. General Provisions
X. Execution & Certification

I. DOCUMENT HEADER

A. Jurisdiction & Governing Law
This Order is issued pursuant to the Arkansas Domestic Abuse Act, Ark. Code Ann. § 9-15-201 et seq., and the inherent equitable authority of this Court.

B. Findings & Recitals

1. On [date], Petitioner filed a sworn Petition for Order of Protection alleging domestic abuse as defined by Ark. Code Ann. § 9-15-103.
2. The Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter.
3. Service of process was effected on Respondent on [date]/☐ Waived.
4. [If Final Order:] The Court conducted a hearing on [date], with both parties having an opportunity to be heard, and finds by a preponderance of the evidence that domestic abuse occurred and that protection is necessary and appropriate.

II. DEFINITIONS

The following terms, when capitalized, have the meanings set forth below and apply throughout this Order:

“Acts of Domestic Abuse” – conduct described in Ark. Code Ann. § 9-15-103, including but not limited to physical harm, threat thereof, or fear of imminent bodily injury.

“Court” – the Circuit Court of [___] County, Arkansas, Domestic Relations Division.

“No-Contact Provision” – the prohibitions contained in Section III.A of this Order.

“Protected Persons” – Petitioner and the following minor children or other household members: [Names & DOBs].

“Residence” – the dwelling located at [street address], or any subsequent dwelling lawfully occupied by Petitioner.

III. OPERATIVE PROVISIONS

A. No-Contact & Stay-Away

1. Respondent SHALL NOT directly or indirectly contact, molest, attack, threaten, harass, or otherwise interfere with Petitioner or any Protected Person.
2. Respondent SHALL remain at least ☐ yards/meters from:
   a. Petitioner and Protected Persons;
   b. Petitioner’s Residence;
   c. Petitioner’s place of employment/education located at ☐; and
   d. [Other specific locations].

B. Exclusion from Residence
Respondent is excluded from the Residence effective immediately, regardless of ownership or leasehold interest. Respondent may retrieve personal effects only once, on [date/time], in the presence of a law-enforcement officer.

C. Firearms & Dangerous Weapons

1. Federal Prohibition & Required Notice. While this Order is in effect and qualifies under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8), it is a federal crime for Respondent to ship, transport, receive, or possess any firearm or ammunition. Arkansas requires this Order to contain that notice (Ark. Code Ann. § 9-15-207(b)(3)). Respondent SHALL NOT possess, transfer, or purchase any firearm or ammunition for the duration of this Order.
2. Court-Ordered Relinquishment (If Ordered). Arkansas law does not itself require surrender of firearms upon issuance of an order of protection. If, as "other relief . . . necessary or appropriate" under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-15-205(a)(8), the Court orders relinquishment, Respondent shall surrender all firearms and ammunition to [County Sheriff/Police Department] on the terms and within the time set by the Court.

D. Temporary Custody & Visitation (if applicable) (Ark. Code Ann. § 9-15-205(a)(3))

1. Petitioner is awarded temporary sole legal and physical custody of the minor child(ren) listed in Section II.
2. Visitation for Respondent is ☐ denied ☐ supervised at [facility/third-party] on [days/times] subject to further order.

E. Temporary Support (if applicable) (Ark. Code Ann. § 9-15-205(a)(4))
Respondent SHALL pay temporary child/spousal support in the amount of $[___] per [week/month] beginning [date], in accordance with the Arkansas Supreme Court's Administrative Order No. 10 child-support guidelines, enforced as other child support and alimony awards are enforced.

F. Batterer Intervention Program
Respondent is ORDERED to enroll in and complete a court-approved batterer intervention program within [___] days.

G. Law-Enforcement Assistance & Registry Entry

1. A certified copy of this Order shall be provided to the [County] Sheriff and entered into the statewide Registry of Orders of Protection (Ark. Code Ann. § 12-12-215), and thereby into the Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).
2. This Order is enforceable in every county of this state by any court or law-enforcement officer (Ark. Code Ann. § 9-15-207(g)), and is entitled to full faith and credit in all other jurisdictions under federal law.

H. Duration & Extension
This Order remains in effect until the Expiration Date stated above unless:
a. Renewed at a subsequent hearing upon proof and a finding that the threat of domestic abuse still exists (Ark. Code Ann. § 9-15-205(b)); or
b. Modified or dissolved by further order of this Court (Ark. Code Ann. § 9-15-209).

IV. REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES

A. Petitioner represents, warrants, and declares under penalty of perjury:

1. A qualifying domestic relationship exists under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-15-103.
2. Specific incidents of domestic abuse occurred on or about [dates] as set forth in the Petition.

B. Respondent, by appearance or through counsel, represents that all identifying information provided herein is accurate for service and enforcement purposes.

V. COVENANTS & RESTRICTIONS

A. Respondent covenants to:

1. Strictly comply with all terms of this Order.
2. Appear at all further hearings noticed in this matter.
3. Notify the Court and Petitioner in writing of any change in residence within 48 hours.

B. Petitioner covenants to:

1. Provide updated contact information to the Court for service of notices.
2. Refrain from initiating voluntary contact that is inconsistent with this Order.

VI. DEFAULT & REMEDIES

A. Events of Default

1. Any violation of Section III constitutes an Event of Default.
2. Failure to complete the batterer intervention program or to surrender firearms within the prescribed timeframe.

B. Consequences & Graduated Remedies

1. Warrantless Arrest. A law-enforcement officer with probable cause to believe Respondent is subject to this Order and has violated its terms MAY arrest Respondent without a warrant, even if the violation did not occur in the officer's presence (Ark. Code Ann. § 5-53-134(c)(1); § 9-15-207(f)).
2. Criminal Prosecution. Violation of an order of protection is a Class A misdemeanor (maximum one (1) year in the county jail and/or a fine up to $1,000 — Ark. Code Ann. § 9-15-207(b)(1)). It is a Class D felony if the offense is committed within five (5) years of a previous conviction for violation of an order of protection AND the order was issued after a hearing of which Respondent had actual notice and an opportunity to participate (Ark. Code Ann. § 5-53-134(b)(2)).
3. Contempt. Respondent may separately be punished for contempt of court, a Class C misdemeanor carrying up to thirty (30) days and a fine up to $500 (Ark. Code Ann. § 16-10-108(b); § 9-15-210).
4. Renewal or modification of this Order, including additional restrictive terms (Ark. Code Ann. §§ 9-15-205(b), 9-15-209).

C. Attorney’s Fees & Costs
The Court may allow the prevailing party a reasonable attorney’s fee as part of the costs (Ark. Code Ann. § 9-15-205(a)(5)), subject to proof and the Court’s discretion.

VII. RISK ALLOCATION

[INTENTIONALLY LIMITED – INDEMNIFICATION AND LIABILITY CAPS NOT APPLICABLE TO THIS EQUITABLE ORDER.]

VIII. DISPUTE RESOLUTION & CONTINUING JURISDICTION

A. Governing Law
This Order is governed by the laws of the State of Arkansas.

B. Forum Selection
The Circuit Court of [___] County, Arkansas, Domestic Relations Division, retains exclusive jurisdiction over enforcement, modification, and contempt proceedings.

C. Arbitration & Jury Trial
Not applicable; family-law matters in Arkansas are not subject to arbitration, and no jury trial is available in domestic-relations contempt proceedings.

D. Injunctive Relief Preservation
Nothing herein limits the Court’s inherent authority to issue further injunctive relief upon motion and proper showing.

IX. GENERAL PROVISIONS

A. Amendment & Waiver
This Order may be amended only by a subsequent written order of this Court. No provision may be waived except by such order.

B. Severability
If any provision of this Order is declared unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force and effect to the maximum extent permitted by law.

C. Integration
This document constitutes the entire protective order between the parties and supersedes all prior oral or written directives on the subject matter herein.

D. Copies & Electronic Signatures
Certified copies and electronically signed or transmitted versions of this Order shall be deemed originals for all enforcement purposes.

X. EXECUTION & CERTIFICATION

SO ORDERED this ☐ day of [Month], 20☐.

____________________________________
Judge [Full Name]
Circuit Judge, [___] County
Domestic Relations Division

[COURT SEAL]

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RESPONDENT

I, [Respondent Name], hereby acknowledge receipt of this Order of Protection and understand its terms.

Date: ___________ Signature: _________________________

SERVICE CERTIFICATE

I certify that a true and correct copy of this Order was served on Respondent by ☐ personal delivery ☐ certified mail ☐ other authorized method on [date].

Name & Title: ________________________
Signature: ________________________ Date: ___________