5711 W. Glendale Ave.
Glendale, Ariz. 85301
(623) 930-2400

A public parking garage is located just south of the courthouse on the west side of 57th Avenue.

First Stop: Security

For the safety of all visitors and employees, security will check for unauthorized materials including weapons.

Leah places her handbag on the conveyer belt, which runs through the X-ray scanning machine. Anyone who carries a handbag, briefcase or backpack into the court will go through these security measures.

An item in Leah's handbag looked unclear on the X-ray scanning machine's screen, so security asked to look inside and examine the item.

Any item in a handbag, briefcase or backpack that looks unusual will be checked by security.

The belt-buckle on Leah's belt contains enough metal to set off the security panels. Security requests to use the hand held scanning wand.

If the security panels detect metal on someone walking throuh them, the security guard will request to use the hand held scanner to check for contraband items.

Leah talks with the Protective Orders Office staff about completing the paperwork.

Staff first needs to determine whether an Order of Protection (OP), an Injunction Against Harassment (IAH) or an Injunction Against Workplace Harassment (IAWH) Petition is required. A family member, romantic or sexual relationship, or a person with whom you have resided is necessary for an OP. You can include family friends and co-workers in the Order if they might be harmed. Children may be included depending on the circumstances.

Be sure to include the defendant's date of birth on the petition. The defendant will be served with a copy of the Petition and the Order. The person serving the paperwork on the defendant needs to complete a form and return it to the Court.

Several other forms, such as a confidential address sheet may be needed. For Injunctions against Harassment not involving dating (not romantic or sexual) relationships, no fee is necessary. For other relationships, a deferral/waiver form may need to be completed.

Courts should provide Domestic Violence and Safety Planning informational pamphlets and materials.

• Click here for a list of things you should know about Protective Orders.
• Read the "Breaking the Cycle" brochure.
  For English, click here.
  For Spanish, click here.

Once the forms are completed, Leah walks to the courtroom where the judge will hear the petition.

When the judge enters the courtroom, the clerk will announce "All rise." Stand up until you hear "Please be seated."

Judge Finn reads the Petition, making sure a domestic violence event has occurred or may happen and that all the blank spaces on the form are completed, including Wyatt's (the defendant's) date of birth.

If a domestic violence crime has occurred, Leah must be specific about the date(s) and what specifically happened on the form.

Judge Finn will ask Leah questions, such as:

• Does he know where you work?
• Do you need him to stay away from your workplace?
• Do you want him to be prohibited to possess firearms?
• Do you need to have him banned from the home (residence)?
• Do you need to include additional people as protected parties?

Leah must sign the Petition swearing that what is contained in it is true.

For Orders of Protection, law enforcement must serve the order for free. For Injunctions Against Harassment involving a dating relationship, law enforcement must serve the Injunction for free. For Injunctions Against Harassment not involving a dating relationship, the judge may ask questions regarding ability to pay the fees.

"I have issued the Order. The Order is not in effect until it is served. Once it is served, it is in effect for one year.

You will leave here today with a copy of the Order; keep it with you at all times. If other protected person or places, along with your home, are included, give them a copy.

If he shows up and hasn't been served, call the law enforcement, and when they arrive, give the law enforcement officer your copy to serve the order so it will be in effect.

If he violates the Order after it has been served, call a law enforcement agency, because it is a crime.

If you change your address or phone number, please let the Protective Orders Office staff know. If there is a hearing and we can't get a hold of you, the hearing will result in your protective order being dismissed.

The Order says that he cannot commit any new crimes against you. He CANNOT CONTACT YOU AT ALL. This applies to the address for your home as well as work (if it was included in the Order) and covers the parking lots. Make sure security at your workplace and residence knows the Order is in effect, so they can call law enforcement even if you are not present. His presence would still be a violation of the Order.

The Order is only good between you and him, not third parties.

Since I granted exclusive use of the residence to you, if it is a rental property, this Order is not good against your landlord. It can prevent him from being there, but it cannot force your landlord to allow you to remain on the premises. You need to contact your landlord and work out arrangements. He can return once with a law enforcement officer to obtain personal belongings. You may want to pack up some of his personal belongings to make it easier to retrieve them."

Immediately after Leah's hearing on the Petition, the clerk will instruct Leah to return to the Protective Order Window so the staff can make arrangements to have the Order served. The staff will tell Leah about the service process.

Remember: An Order of Protections is only a piece of paper. Leah must take steps to insure her safety. There are a variety of safety planning guides available. You may want to call the court to verify that the Order has been served.

Also: Keep a copy of the Order with you at all times. You may want to make two or three copies to put in various other places, such as your workplace.

Feeling she may be in danger, Leah requests the Protective Orders Office staff to call for a security escort. The courthouse is a public building and he may have followed her.

The Glendale Court Security may escort Leah from the courthouse to her vehicle. Many other courts also have this service; if you feel you are in danger, request an escort.

Remember: The Order must be served to be in effect. If you do not have law enforcement serve the Order, you will have to contact a private process server.

Thank you for touring our Virtual Courthouse.