Key points about Virginia Protective Orders include: Types of Protective Orders: Virginia recognizes three types of protective orders: a. Emergency Protective Order (EPO): Issued by law enforcement or a judge, valid for 72 hours or until the next hearing. b. Preliminary Protective Order (PPO): Granted by a judge after a hearing, valid for up to 15 days. c. Permanent Protective Order: Issued after a full court hearing, offering long-term protection for up to two years. Eligibility: To obtain a protective order, the petitioner must have a qualifying relationship with the alleged abuser, such as being a family or household member, or have been a victim of stalking or sexual assault.
