Modifying, Dissolving, Or Appealing A Protection Order
CAUTION! If a protection order has been entered against you, DO NOT VIOLATE IT! Violation of a protection order is a crime punishable by fines and imprisonment. It is also a civil contempt of court. For more information about the penalties for violating a protection order, click to visit Overview of Protection Orders.
If someone is trying to obtain or has already obtained a protection order against you, you have a couple of options:
- Oppose the Application if the judge has not made a decision about the application.
- File a motion to modify or cancel the protection order if an order is in place that you want to change or dissolve.
- If an extended protection order was approved, you may appeal the decision to the District Court.
Opposing an Application for Protection
If you disagree with the the applicant's request for a protection order against you and the court has not granted it yet, you can file an opposition.
Fill out an opposition below. If your case is in the Las Vegas Justice Court, also complete the confidential information sheet.
OPPOSITION TO APPLICATION FOR PROTECTION ORDER
Pdf Fillable
ADVERSE PARTY CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION SHEET
Las Vegas Only
File your forms with the same Justice Court that issued the protection order. After you file the opposition, the court will review it and consider the arguments. If the court has already scheduled a hearing, you can also appear at the hearing and tell the judge why you are opposed.
Modifying or Cancelling ('Dissolving') a Protection Order
If a protection order has already been granted and you believe it is either no longer needed or the terms should be changed, you may file a motion explaining to the judge what you would like ordered. A protection order can only be modified or cancelled by the court.
You may use the motion below to explain your request. If your case is in the Las Vegas Justice Court, also complete the confidential information sheet:
MOTION TO MODIFY OR DISSOLVE ORDER FOR PROTECTION
Pdf Fillable
ADVERSE PARTY CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION SHEET
Las Vegas Only
File your forms with the same Justice Court that issued the protection order.
After you file the motion, the court will decide whether or not to schedule a hearing. Make sure to check your mail and email for updates from the court about your motion.
Appealing an Extended Protection Order
If the court issues an extended order for protection, the adverse party can file an appeal to the district court (an appeal is not allowed if the court denies an application to extend a protection order, only if the court grants the extension). Filing the appeal paperwork does not change the validity or enforceability of the extended order while the appeal is pending.
The district court will typically not hear new evidence on an appeal. The court will review the documentation and other information that was presented to the justice court in order to decide whether the justice of the peace made an error of law in granting the extended protection order. The district court can keep the order in place, change it in some way, or do away with it completely.
There is a $97 filing fee to file an appeal. File the Notice of Appeal at the same Justice Court that issued the protection order; they will send the record to the District Court.
NOTICE OF APPEAL TO DISTRICT COURT
PDF Fillable
The district court may issue an order setting the case for oral argument and may require the parties to submit written briefs. A form Appellate Brief is available below:
APPELLATE BRIEF
Pdf Fillable
