RESTRAINING ORDERS

MILWAUKEE COUNTY

A restraining order is a court order. The court can order the abuser not to hurt you physically or sexually, to stay away from you, be remove from your house, have no contact with you,
or stop harassing you. Restraining orders can be powerful tools, but they are not the answer for everyone.

An advocate from Sojourner can help you weigh your options and create a safety plan.
Talk with an advocate to see if what you are experiencing fits the legal requirements for a restraining order: (414-278-5079)

If you decide to file a restraining order, it is a two-step process

 STEP ONE

Come to the Milwaukee County Courthouse: 901 N. 9th Street, Room 711
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Clinic Hours (Sign-up Hours): Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m.—10:45 a.m. and 1:00p.m.—2:30p.m.

FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED: It is a 1-2 hour process to file a restraining order, consisting of talking with an advocate and electronically filing your Petition.

Bring the following:
- The full name of the abuser, with the correct spelling (required)
- All addresses where the abuser can be found so that the papers can be served (required)

Domestic Abuse Restraining Orders and Child Abuse orders are free.

Harassment restraining orders have a potential cost of $253 (filing fee is $168 and the Sheriff’s Department charges $85 for service).
A fee waiver form is available to see if the fees can be waived.

STEP TWO
- You will need to come back to court for the final hearing (Injunction). This hearing will be held within seven to fourteen days of filing, depending on which type of order you file.
- The abuser may be at the final hearing (Injunction) and might argue that the statements in the petition are not true or might argue that the court should not issue the final order. The abuser is not required to come to the final hearing and might not show up.