Protection from Abuse in Maine: First Steps & Frequently Asked Questions

You may want to view this video first, explaining the basics. Then learn more details below.

Read the next part of this guide: Protection from Abuse in Maine: Getting Ready for Your Hearing & Next Steps

What is a Protection from Abuse Order?

A Protection from Abuse Order is a Court Order that can help protect you and your children from people who are a threat to you. You can get a Protection from Abuse Order against:

your spouse or ex-spouse
someone who you live with or used to live with
your current or former dating partner or intimate partner
anyone who has stalked you or sexually assaulted you
anyone who has forced or led you into prostitution
anyone who has used or threatened to use intimate photos against you

Also, adults 60 years of age or older, dependent adults, and incapacitated adults can seek protection against extended family members and unpaid care providers.

What if I am being harassed by someone else, or in other ways?

If you are being harassed in other ways, or by persons not on this list, you can ask for a Protection from Harassment Order. You can get the forms from any District Court or online.

What if my child is being abused?

If you are responsible for a minor child, you can ask for an Order on behalf of the child. If you are both being abused, you can ask the Court to give an order that will protect both of you.

NOTE: Bringing a complaint just on behalf of an abused child can be complicated. The Court rules can make it difficult to "prove" your case. Before taking this step, you may want to get advice from a Domestic Violence Project lawyer or a Sexual Assault Project lawyer.

Where do I go to ask for an order?

You can go to the District Court:

where you live, or
where the person who abused you lives, or
where you have gone to escape the abuse

If that judge is not available, another Court can issue an order.

Get a list of Maine District Courts.

NOTE: If you have moved to escape your abuser, and you file your complaint in the county where you are now living, your abuser will know, from the court papers, which county you now live in.

How much will it cost?

There is no cost to you. You should not be charged by the court or by law enforcement at any time during the protection from abuse process.

What do I do first?

Prepare the required court forms. You can get interactive forms online or go to the court clerk's office and ask for a Protection from Abuse forms packet. Our newest online self-help tool asks you a series of questions, then fills out the forms for you. If you have trouble understanding the forms, ask the court clerk, a friend, or a domestic abuse or sexual assault advocate for help.

Where to get help with court forms and other support:

How do I fill out the Complaint form?

Fill out the form as completely as you can. You are the Plaintiff and the person who abused you is the Defendant. If you are bringing the complaint for your child, list yourself as Plaintiff "on behalf of" your child. If both of you have been abused, state that you are complaining on behalf of yourself and your child.

Describe the abuse with as much detail as you remember. Example: "On June 20 of this year John Doe slapped me on the face. Then he kicked me on the legs causing bruises. The next day he told me he would kill my cat if I tell anyone or don't do as he says."

In the last section of the form, where you are asking the Court to give certain orders, be sure to check all of the boxes that apply to you or that you think might apply to you. You can change your mind later and drop any requests. But if you leave any boxes unchecked, the Judge may not let you ask for those things later on (because the Defendant was not put on notice).

What if the defendant has dangerous weapons?

If the defendant has a dangerous weapon, you can ask the court to stop them from having or using them as part of the PFA Order.

"Dangerous weapons" can be more than just guns. Here are some other examples of dangerous weapons:

Bow
Crossbow
Knife
Sword
Any other weapon that can kill or cause serious injury

Here's what to do if you want the court to stop the defendant from having dangerous weapons:

Check off box (e) on the second page of your PFA Complaint.
In the affidavit you file with your complaint, explain to the judge why you do not want the defendant to have dangerous weapons.

Some of the factors the court will consider are whether:

1. The abuse has involved a dangerous weapon;

2. The defendant has violated a PFA in the past;

3. The order won't protect you if the defendant is allowed to have weapons;

4. The abuse has caused injuries;

5. Any of the abuse has happened in public; or

6. The abuse includes:

a. threats of suicide;

b. threats of harm to pets;

c. violence that is getting worse;

d. stalking behavior or obsession;

e. sexual violence;

f. excessive alcohol or drug use; or

g. abuse against a pregnant person.

If you know what dangerous weapons the defendant has, make sure to describe them. You can do this in the affidavit that you file with your PFA Complaint. Give as much detail as you can. Include:

Number of weapons
Kind of weapon
What they look like
Where they are usually kept

What if I don’t want the Defendant to find out where I am staying?

Wherever the Complaint form asks for your name and address, write your name only. Wherever the form asks for your child’s address, write “confidential.” Then ask the clerk for an Affidavit for Confidential Address form, or get the form online. Say in the affidavit why you think this information must be kept private, for the safety of you or your children. Give your affidavit to the clerk along with your other papers. The clerk will then "seal" this information, so that others can't see it. If the Defendant objects to this in writing, the court could hold a hearing to decide whether the clerk must still keep the information secret.

Let the clerk know if your address changes before your case is done.

If you don't think that this will provide the protection you need, talk to your nearest Domestic Violence Project or Sexual Assault Project about the "Address Confidentiality Program." This program gives you a legal address separate from your actual address. The Maine Secretary of State gives you the alternative legal address, gets your mail at that address, then forwards your mail to you. When notified that you have an alternative address through the Address Confidentiality Program, all state and local agencies, including the courts, are required to use that address. Only the Secretary of State can make exceptions to this rule and only under very narrow circumstances. Some domestic violence projects and sexual assault projects can also provide temporary alternative addresses.

How soon will the Court give an Order?

If you need protection right away, check the box asking for a Temporary Order. If the judge who reads your complaint agrees that you are in immediate and present danger, they will give an order right away. The order will take effect as soon as it is served on the defendant. If the judge does not give a temporary order, you will still have the chance to get an order later, after a court hearing.

What happens after I fill out the Complaint?

The complaint has to be notarized. This means that you must sign the complaint, swearing that it is true, in front of the court clerk, a notary public, or a lawyer.

The clerk may also ask you to fill out a Protection Order Service Information form. On this form, write down where the defendant can be found. This will help the police or sheriff find the defendant to serve the court papers.

Get interactive Protection Order Service Information form (fill out online)

If the defendant is not already ordered to pay child support, and you want the Court to order child support, ask the clerk for a Child Support Affidavit. You can file it with your complaint or fill it out later. If you fill it out later, file it with the clerk before your court hearing, send a copy to the defendant, and save a copy for yourself. Or bring multiple copies with you to your court hearing. You will also need to check the box on the Complaint form requesting child support.

NOTE: If you use our newest online self-help forms preparation tool, all of these forms will be prepared automatically, along with your Complaint, based on your answers to simple questions.

Will I have to talk to the judge?

Maybe. The clerk will show your Complaint to the judge. After the judge reads it, they may want to know more. Then the judge will talk to you. They may ask you to explain the abuse in more detail. If your Complaint has enough information, the judge will give a Temporary Order without talking to you. But Maine law requires the judge to talk to you before denying a Temporary Order and to explain the reasons why it is being denied.

Will the Defendant see what I wrote in the Complaint?

Yes. If the judge gave a Temporary Order, the clerk will ask a police officer or deputy sheriff to serve the Complaint and Temporary Order and Notice of Hearing on the Defendant. The clerk should also give you copies of these papers. The Court must schedule a hearing within 21 days. The Notice of Hearing will tell you the date and time.

What happens with dangerous weapons after the temporary order?

The court can issue an order as part of the temporary order stopping the defendant from owning or using dangerous weapons..

If the court does this, the defendant will not be allowed to have or use dangerous weapons until you go to court for your final hearing. If you think the defendant has violated this order and still has dangerous weapons, you should call the police immediately. You can also ask the court to issue a search warrant.

What if the judge does not give a Temporary Order?

If the judge denies the Temporary Order after talking to you but you still want to get an order, the clerk will fill out a Summons. The Summons will tell the Defendant the date and time that your Complaint will be heard by the Court. They will give you copies of the Complaint and Summons. Take two copies of each to the police department or sheriff's office, along with the Service Information Sheet. They will serve all of these papers on the Defendant. Check back with them before your hearing to make sure they have sent a Return of Service back to the Court, showing that the Defendant got notice of the hearing. The Court cannot hold a hearing on your Complaint until the Defendant has been notified.

You will not have to pay any fees to the sheriff’s office or law enforcement for them to serve your protection from abuse paperwork.

What if the Defendant does not live in Maine?

If you have a good address for the Defendant, the Court will send out your Complaint and other required paperwork to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Then they will "serve" the Defendant with notice of your request for a PFA order. So you need to try to find out as much as you can about where the Defendant is living out of state. They can't charge you for this service.

What if the Defendant is not served before the court hearing date?

You should still go to Court at the scheduled time. The judge will postpone the hearing and set a new date. This might happen a few times until the Defendant is served. After a while, if you don't have enough information about where the Defendant can be notified, or "served," you may need to dismiss your complaint and start again when you know the where the Defendant is.

If you think you will be able to figure out soon where the Defendant can be "served," ask the judge to postpone the hearing and keep the clerk or law enforcement agency informed about the Defendant's location.

Do I have to go to the court hearing?

Yes. If you do not go, the Court will dismiss your case and your Temporary Order will end.

If you have a very good reason why you can't be at the hearing, you may ask the judge in writing for another hearing date. Give your request to the clerk as soon as you know you will not be able to be there. The judge will read it and decide if your hearing will be postponed or now.