Can I defend myself against an order of protection?

Upon an individual filing a petition for a protective order, an emergency order of protection, without notice to you, may be issued against you for up to twenty-one days. More than likely, you will not know about the protective order until you are served with it and advised of the upcoming hearing pertaining to the order. If you decide to fight the order of protection, you must appear for the hearing and be prepared to defend yourself against your accuser’s allegations of abuse by providing evidence that domestic violence has not occurred. If the judge finds your testimony credible, the order of protection may be vacated or terminated.