Common Questions Regarding Shielding a Peace or Protective Order

• What does shielding a peace or protective order mean? It means that the court records are removed from the view of the public.

• Are physical records still kept at the courthouse if they are shielded? Generally, shielded records are removed to a separate and secure area where the general public would not have access to them.

• Are electronic records still accessible if they are shielded? No, electronic information will no longer appear on Case Search if they are shielded.

• Who can file a request to shield records? If the Respondent was found not guilty or if there is no pending interim or temporary peace or protective order, you may file a request to shield. There also must not be any pending criminal charges against the Respondent between the same parties and no other final peace or protective orders were previously issued against the Respondent from the same Petitioner.

• When can you file a request to shield? A request to shield may not be filed earlier than 3 years after the denial or dismissal of the Petition or after the consent expires UNLESS you file a Request for General Waiver. A Request for General Waiver means that you release all of your claims for damages or tort claims relating to this proceeding.