A court order entered to protect a petitioner (the person who is seeking the relief) from the respondent (the person who allegedly hurt the petitioner). A civil order of protection can only be filed against certain persons with whom the petitioner has a special relationship with: people who are married or formerly married; people who are related by blood; people who live together or formerly lived together; people who are dating or formerly dated; people who are engaged or formerly engaged; and people with disabilities
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