Orders of protection are intended to keep victims of abuse safe from being contacted or harmed by their abusers. If a judge grants a full order of protection, the abuser must follow the terms of the order. If they don’t follow the terms, the victim may contact law enforcement to enforce the order and go back to court.
Why Carrying Your Order of Protection Information Matters
A person who has obtained a full order of protection should always have their case information with them. This allows law enforcement to respond quickly if the abuser violates the order of protection. However, taking the large packet of paper that is the full order of protection everywhere you go is impractical and burdensome. To solve this issue, St. Louis County now hands out wallet-sized cards to those who obtain a full order of protection.
These cards fit easily in a wallet or cardholder, easing the burden for victims by ensuring they always have their case information on hand. The front of each card includes the case number, the petitioner’s (victim’s) name, the respondent’s (perpetrator’s) name, the date the order was issued, the date the order expires, whether the abuser is restricted from owning firearms, and any other restrictions. This information provides law enforcement with the general terms of the order of protection, which they can use to confirm through their online system. The back of each card includes the respondent’s full name, date of birth, last 4 digits of their social security number, and their physical characteristics.
How These Wallet Cards Help Victims and Law Enforcement
The information on these new cards allows law enforcement to find a case online and provide assistance if an order has been violated. The cards also provide enough information for clerks at the courthouse to find a case if a petitioner needs to report a violation by the respondent. The cards will also come in handy if a victim needs to request a second order of protection after the first order expires, as they can refer to the information on the card in filling out a new petition.
These cards are a great new resource for St. Louis County victims of abuse. If you are awaiting a hearing for your petition for a full order of protection, be sure to leave with a new order of protection wallet card if your petition is granted.
Get Help With Your Order of Protection From a St. Louis Family Law Attorney
If you have questions about your order of protection, a family law attorney at Paule, Camazine, & Blumenthal is happy to help.
*This blog was written with the assistance of Caroline Vaaler, Saint Louis University Law student, anticipated graduation 2026.
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