Pick up court papers from the clerk

Read the judge's orders

Once you pick up your forms, read the forms to see what the judge ordered.

• 📅 You have a court date. Look at form CH-109 to see when and where your court date (court hearing)  is.
• If the judge signed form CH-110, this means you have a temporary restraining order.
  • The orders granted on form CH-110 only last until your court date.
  • You must go to your court date if you want a long-term restraining order (up to 5 years).
  • Keep a copy of the signed CH-110 form with you at all times.
  • If you have a phone, you can also use your phone to take a picture of all the pages so you always have proof of it. Having a copy of your restraining order will help you if you need to call the police to report a violation.

⚠️ If the judge did not grant you a temporary restraining order

• The judge can still grant you a restraining order at your court date.
• If you still want a restraining order, follow all the steps in the process, including having the other side served.
• If you no longer want a restraining order, you don't have to go to your court date. You can also cancel your court date.
• 💬 For more information on how to cancel your court date, get help from the self-help center or talk to a lawyer.

If the judge only granted some of the orders you asked for

• If the judge didn't grant some of the orders you asked for, you can still ask for them at the court date. 
  • The judge decides whether to grant the temporary orders, like a stay away order, based on what is written on your request (form CH-100), so be prepared to provide more information about why you need these orders.
• If you have more information (videos, pictures, additional events) that you want the judge to know about, contact your local self-help center for help.