Protective Orders in Parker County, Texas

If you are in danger right now, call 911.

The short answer

A protective order is a civil court order meant to stop family violence, dating violence, stalking or sexual assault Parker County Attorney, Assault Family Violence Unit, "Protective Order Information" (Rev. February 2026). In Texas, if a court finds that family violence has occurred, it must grant a protective order Tex. Fam. Code §81.001. You cannot be charged a fee for filing, serving or entering one Tex. Fam. Code §81.002 Parker County Attorney, Assault Family Violence Unit, "Protective Order Intake Packet" (Rev. February 2026). In Parker County, call the County Attorney's Office at (817) 594-8409, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and ask for the Assault Family Violence Unit Parker County Attorney, Assault Family Violence Unit, "Protective Order Information" (Rev. February 2026). A protective order generally lasts up to two years Tex. Fam. Code §85.025(a).

What counts as family violence or dating violence?

Family violence is an act by a member of a family or household against another member that is meant to cause physical harm, bodily injury, assault or sexual assault. So does a threat that reasonably makes the person fear that harm is about to happen. Self-defense does not count Tex. Fam. Code §71.004(1). It also includes certain abuse of a child in the household Tex. Fam. Code §71.004(2) and dating violence Tex. Fam. Code §71.004(3).

Dating violence is the same kind of act or threat against someone you date or used to date Tex. Fam. Code §71.0021(a). That means a continuing romantic or intimate relationship Tex. Fam. Code §71.0021(b), not a casual acquaintance Tex. Fam. Code §71.0021(c).

Who can apply for a protective order in Texas?

• An adult member of the family or household can apply to protect themselves or anyone else in the family or household Tex. Fam. Code §82.002(a).
• Any adult can apply to protect a child from family violence Tex. Fam. Code §82.002(c).
• For dating violence, a member of the dating relationship can apply. The Code currently shows two versions of this rule, so read the full text at Tex. Fam. Code §82.002.
• A prosecuting attorney or DFPS (the Department of Family and Protective Services) can also apply for a victim Tex. Fam. Code §82.002(d).

Parker County's information sheet says those who may be eligible include family members, people in a dating relationship, household members, and victims of sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking and some other crimes Parker County Attorney, Assault Family Violence Unit, "Protective Order Information" (Rev. February 2026).

You can file where you live, where the other person lives, or in any county where the violence is said to have happened Tex. Fam. Code §82.003.

How do I get a protective order in Parker County?

In Texas, the county attorney (or criminal district attorney) is responsible for filing protective order applications, unless the district attorney takes on that job Tex. Fam. Code §81.007(a). The Parker County Attorney's Office lists representing family violence victims who seek a protective order among its duties Parker County, "County Attorney".

1. Call the Assault Family Violence Unit at (817) 594-8409, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office closes from noon to 1:00 p.m. for lunch Parker County Attorney, Assault Family Violence Unit, "Protective Order Intake Packet" (Rev. February 2026).
2. Fill out the intake packet. Completing it does not mean you have an order, and it does not guarantee that a judge will grant one Parker County Attorney, Assault Family Violence Unit, "Protective Order Intake Packet" (Rev. February 2026). Return it to the unit in person, by fax or by mail Parker County Attorney, Assault Family Violence Unit, "Protective Order Intake Packet" (Rev. February 2026): - Fax: 817.594.8414 - Mail: Parker County Attorney's Office, Assault Family Violence Unit, 101 North Main Street, Weatherford, Texas 76086

If you mail or fax it, call to make sure it arrived Parker County Attorney, Assault Family Violence Unit, "Protective Order Intake Packet" (Rev. February 2026). 3. Watch the timing. The county's victim assistance flyer says that for the County Attorney's office to consider your application, the violence must have occurred within the last 30 days Parker County Attorney, "Victim Assistance Information" flyer. 4. Go to court. If the office can help you, you sign a sworn statement (an affidavit) that is filed with your application, and you go to court for a hearing Parker County Attorney, Assault Family Violence Unit, "Protective Order Intake Packet" (Rev. February 2026).

Only a judge can grant a protective order, not the County Attorney's office Parker County Attorney, Assault Family Violence Unit, "Protective Order Information" (Rev. February 2026). If you are going through a divorce or another case and have a lawyer, the packet says to talk to your lawyer about getting a protective order as part of that case Parker County Attorney, Assault Family Violence Unit, "Protective Order Intake Packet" (Rev. February 2026). The office does not handle custody, visitation, child support or property disputes Parker County Attorney, Assault Family Violence Unit, "Protective Order Intake Packet" (Rev. February 2026). For those, see Finding a Family Lawyer in Weatherford and Parker County: Divorce, Custody, Child Support and Protective Orders.

Family cases in Parker County's district courts are filed with the District Clerk Parker County, "District Clerk", and the county courts at law have the same jurisdiction as district courts Tex. Gov't Code §25.1862. Court addresses are on the Parker County and Weatherford, Texas: CPS and Family Courts, Court Records, DFPS Office and Free Legal Help page.

Is there an emergency protective order in Texas?

Yes. Parker County lists three main types of protective orders Parker County Attorney, Assault Family Violence Unit, "Protective Order Information" (Rev. February 2026):

• Emergency protective order, also called a magistrate's protective order. A magistrate can issue it, and it is given to the abuser when he or she bonds out of jail. The county says it is in force anywhere from 30 to 90 days Parker County Attorney, Assault Family Violence Unit, "Protective Order Information" (Rev. February 2026). If you want one, the county's flyer says to tell the arresting officer Parker County Attorney, "Victim Assistance Information" flyer.
• Temporary ex parte order. "Ex parte" means the judge acts without first hearing from the other person. If your application shows a clear and present danger of family violence, the court can enter this order without a hearing Tex. Fam. Code §83.001(a). It lasts up to 20 days, and the court can extend it for more 20-day periods Tex. Fam. Code §83.002(a) Tex. Fam. Code §83.002(b). The county's packet says it takes effect only after the other person is formally served Parker County Attorney, Assault Family Violence Unit, "Protective Order Intake Packet" (Rev. February 2026).
• Final protective order, granted by a judge after a hearing Parker County Attorney, Assault Family Violence Unit, "Protective Order Information" (Rev. February 2026).

How long does a protective order last in Texas?

Unless another rule in the statute applies, an order lasts for the period stated in it, not to exceed two years. If the order states no period, it lasts until the second anniversary of the date it was issued Tex. Fam. Code §85.025(a).

A court may make an order last longer than two years only if it finds that the person did one of these things Tex. Fam. Code §85.025(a-1): - committed a felony offense involving family violence against you or your household; - caused serious bodily injury to you or your household; or - was the subject of two or more earlier protective orders protecting you.

Other rules can change the end date. These apply when the two of you are in a divorce Tex. Fam. Code §85.025(a-2) or a custody case Tex. Fam. Code §85.025(a-3), when the person is charged with a family violence crime Tex. Fam. Code §85.025(a-4), or when the person is in jail or prison Tex. Fam. Code §85.025(c). In the county's words, a final order may last "up to two years, or up to a lifetime in limited circumstances" Parker County Attorney, Assault Family Violence Unit, "Protective Order Information" (Rev. February 2026).

The person the order is against may ask the court to review it, but not before the first anniversary of the date it was rendered Tex. Fam. Code §85.025(b).

What can a protective order require?

At the end of the hearing, the court must decide whether family violence has occurred Tex. Fam. Code §85.001(a). If it has, the court must issue an order against the person found to have committed it Tex. Fam. Code §85.001(b). The order may forbid that person from Tex. Fam. Code §85.022(b):

• committing family violence;
• communicating with you in a threatening or harassing way, or, if the court finds good cause, contacting you at all except through a lawyer or a person the court appoints;
• going to or near your home or job, or your child's school or child-care facility;
• having a firearm, with an exception for certain peace officers;
• harming, threatening or interfering with your pet; and
• tracking or monitoring your property or car without your consent.

A person who violates the order may face criminal prosecution Parker County Attorney, Assault Family Violence Unit, "Protective Order Information" (Rev. February 2026).

Where can I get help in Parker County?

In an emergency, call 911. Parker County's victim assistance flyer lists these numbers, among others Parker County Attorney, "Victim Assistance Information" flyer:

• Freedom House: 817.596.7543
• Hope Domestic Violence Shelter: 940.325.1306
• The Haven: 817.341.1909
• One Safe Place: 817.885.7774
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800.799.7233
• Parker County Sheriff: 817.594.8845
• Weatherford Police Dept.: 817.598.4310

Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas's Weatherford office (817-594-6332) holds monthly legal clinics for domestic violence victims at Freedom House in Weatherford Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, "Weatherford" office. They are on the 1st Wednesday of each month (except December), 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., by appointment only Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, "Weatherford" office.

What the law says

A court shall render a protective order as provided by Section 85.001 (b) if the court finds that family violence has occurred.

In plain words: if the judge finds that family violence happened, the judge must grant a protective order.

A temporary ex parte order is valid for the period specified in the order, not to exceed 20 days.

In plain words: a temporary order made before the hearing lasts 20 days at most, unless the court extends it.

Except as otherwise provided by this section, an order under this subtitle is effective: (1) for the period stated in the order, not to exceed two years; or (2) if a period is not stated in the order, until the second anniversary of the date the order was issued.

In plain words: most orders last up to two years. The law lists some cases where they last longer.

Questions to ask a lawyer

• Should I ask for a protective order on its own, or as part of my divorce or custody case?
• What should I bring to the hearing?
• What do I do if the other person breaks the order?
• How long will my order last, and can it be extended?

Related

• Finding a Family Lawyer in Weatherford and Parker County: Divorce, Custody, Child Support and Protective Orders
• Getting a Divorce in Parker County, Texas
• Child Custody in Texas: Conservatorship, Possession and the Best Interest of the Child
• Getting a CPS Lawyer in Weatherford and Parker County, Texas
• Parker County and Weatherford, Texas: CPS and Family Courts, Court Records, DFPS Office and Free Legal Help