The District Court may issue a temporary domestic abuse protective order if a party is assaulted by the other person in his or her intimate relationship. A person can request a domestic abuse protective order by going to the Clerk of Court in the county in which they reside and ask to fill out the petition for a domestic abuse protective order. A judge will speak to a party and decide whether a temporary domestic abuse protective order should be entered. If a temporary order is entered, a hearing will be held soon after to determine whether that order should continue. A person may have an attorney assist him or her in filing for a domestic abuse protective order and to represent him or her at the hearing, although it is not required to have an attorney present.