Someone is harassing, stalking or threatening me
A judge can order the person to stay away from you and stop contacting you. For most types it costs nothing to apply, and you don't need a lawyer. Here's which order fits, where to file, how long it lasts, and the exact forms.
If you're in danger right now, call 911. If it's not an emergency, call 311 to report it to police.
What to do first
1. Check whether this is a domestic case. If the person is your spouse or ex, someone
you're dating or used to date, or a relative, you need a domestic violence order from Family Court, not
this page. The justice courts can't issue those. See the Family Law Self-Help Center on
the divorce page or their
protection order guide.
2. Pick the order that matches what happened. Stalking or harassment, sexual assault,
harm to your child, threats at a business, or someone at risk of hurting themselves or others with a gun.
The table below shows each one.
3. Write down everything. Dates, times, places, what was said or done, and who saw it.
Save texts, voicemails, emails, call logs, notes and photos of damage. You don't need a police report to
apply, but if you have one, attach it.
4. File in the right court. Stalking and harassment count as happening where the person
did it, or where you were when it reached you (NRS 200.581). So if the threats were calls you got in
Henderson, you can file in Henderson Justice Court. Use
Find My Court
if you're not sure.
5. Fill out the application and the confidential information sheet. The application is
public, so black out Social Security and bank numbers on anything you attach. The confidential sheet
isn't public; it's how the court reaches you and how police find the other person to serve them. You
sign under penalty of perjury, so stick to what really happened.
6. File it. In Las Vegas Township, file in person at the Regional Justice Center, 200
Lewis Ave, 1st floor, Monday to Thursday, 7am to 5pm, or online through
eFileNV (the court adds a $2.50 upload
fee). There's also a free online interview that fills out the forms for you and, for Las Vegas, files
them at the end: start the interview.
7. Wait for the judge. The judge will grant a temporary order, deny it in writing with
the reasons, or set a hearing. A temporary order can be granted without telling the other person first.
It doesn't count until it's served on them. The sheriff serves it for free, but if they can't find the
person or the person is a minor, out of the county or out of state, it's on you to get it served by
law enforcement where they live, a process server, or any adult not named in the order. Then file proof of
service.
8. Ask for an extended order before the temporary one runs out. See
Making it last longer below. If it expires first, you have to start over.
Which order fits, and how long it lasts
| Order | Who files, and where | Temporary order lasts | Extended order lasts | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stalking, aggravated stalking or harassment | You, if you reasonably believe it's happening to you. Justice court where it happened | Up to 45 days | Up to 2 years | Free to file and serve | NRS 200.591, 200.592, 200.594 |
| Sexual assault | You, if you reasonably believe you were sexually assaulted. Justice court where it happened | Up to 30 days | Up to 3 years (over 1 year needs a written finding) | Free to file and serve | NRS 200.378, 200.3781, 200.3782 |
| Harm to a child | A parent or guardian, against an adult (18+) who physically or mentally injured, sexually abused or exploited the child. Justice court where it happened | Up to 30 days | Up to 1 year | Free to file and serve | NRS 33.400, 33.410, 33.420 |
| Harassment in the workplace | The employer or its authorized agent, against one person. Justice court where it happened | Up to 15 days from the date issued | Up to 1 year | $74 filing fee at Las Vegas Justice Court, plus $100 security; service isn't free | NRS 33.250, 33.270, 33.280 |
| High-risk behavior ("red flag," removes guns) | A close family or household member, or police. Eighth Judicial District Court, Regional Justice Center, 200 Lewis Ave, 3rd floor | Emergency order up to 7 days (judge can add up to 7 more to get it served) | Up to 1 year, can be renewed | Free to file; police serve it free | NRS 33.560, 33.575, 33.620, 33.640 |
Durations are the legal maximums; the judge can set a shorter time. Some courts count the temporary order's days from the day the judge signs it, others from the day it's served, so ask the clerk. The adverse party in a harm-to-a-child order must be 18 or older; if they're a minor, use the stalking or harassment application instead. Anyone under 18 who needs protection must have a parent or guardian apply. For the free orders, the judge can make the other side pay the fees after a hearing.
What counts
- Harassment: they threatened to hurt someone, damage property, confine or restrain someone, or do something meant to seriously harm someone's physical or mental health or safety, and what they said or did makes you reasonably afraid they'll follow through (NRS 200.571).
- Stalking: a pattern of conduct that would make a reasonable person feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated or harassed, and it actually makes you feel that way (NRS 200.575). It's aggravated stalking if they also threaten you to make you fear death or serious injury.
- Harassment in the workplace: someone threatens or causes bodily injury, property damage or serious harm to the employer, an employee on the job, or anyone at the workplace, and a reasonable person would be afraid (NRS 33.240). The employer must try in good faith to tell the targeted employee, and generally must give the person notice before filing unless that would be dangerous or impractical (NRS 33.260, 33.270).
- High-risk behavior: the person is using or threatening force or violence against themselves or others, acting dangerously with a gun, abusing drugs or alcohol while doing so, or recently got a gun before acting this way (NRS 33.550). "Family or household member" means a parent, child, stepparent, stepchild, grandparent or grandchild, a first-degree relative by marriage or adoption, someone who shares a child with them, a domestic partner, a guardian, or someone currently dating them (NRS 33.540).
Making it last longer
Ask before the temporary order expires. You can ask for an extended order in your
first application, or file the motion later. If you file in time, the temporary order stays in force
until the hearing. If it has already expired, the court can't extend it; you file a new application.
There will be a hearing. An extended order needs the other person served with notice and
a hearing. For workplace orders, the employer files a separate extended-order application and the hearing
should be within 10 days (NRS 33.270). Bring your evidence and any witnesses.
If the judge says no, you can file a brand-new temporary order application with new or
better evidence. You can't appeal a denial of an extension.
If they break the order
1. Call the police right away. 911 for an emergency, 311 if no one is in immediate
danger. If police don't come, go to a station and give a voluntary statement. Get medical care for any
injury.
2. Keep records and carry the order. Log every contact with the date, time and witnesses.
Save messages and call records. Keep a copy of the order with you and give copies to your job, school and
landlord.
3. File a motion to enforce. Ask the court that issued the order to hold the person in
contempt. The judge decides whether to set a hearing.
| Violation | Penalty | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary order for stalking, harassment, sexual assault or harm to a child | Gross misdemeanor (up to 364 days in jail, up to $2,000 fine) | NRS 200.591, 200.378, 33.400 |
| Extended order of those types | Category C felony (1 to 5 years in prison, up to $10,000 fine) | NRS 200.591, 200.378, 33.400 |
| Workplace order, or red flag order | Misdemeanor, unless the act itself carries more | NRS 33.350, 33.670 |
| Contempt of court | Up to $500 fine and 25 days in jail | NRS 22.100 |
If the act that broke the order is a felony on its own, extra prison time can be added on top (NRS 193.166). Jail and fine ranges are from NRS 193.130, 193.140 and 22.100.
If someone filed an order against you
Don't break it, even if you think it's wrong. Contact or showing up
where the order says not to can get you arrested and charged. Only a judge can change or cancel it.
Not granted yet? File an Opposition. The judge reads it, and if a hearing is set you can
argue it in person too.
Already granted? File a motion to dissolve (cancel) it if it was granted wrongly or isn't
needed anymore, or a motion to modify (change) it if it's too broad. The judge decides whether to hold a
hearing. For a harm-to-a-child temporary order, or a workplace order granted without notice to
you, the judge has to hear your motion quickly once you give the other side 2 days' notice
(NRS 33.420, 33.270).
Extended order granted? You can appeal to District Court. You file the Notice of Appeal
and Statement of Points on Appeal at the justice court that made the order. There's a filing fee but no
bond, and the order stays in force while the appeal runs (NRS 200.591, 33.400, 33.270). The District Court
reviews the record, usually without new evidence, and can keep, change or cancel the order. If the hearing
was recorded, you must order the transcript; if not, file a Statement of Evidence or Proceedings.
Red flag order? Turn in your guns to law enforcement right after you're served and file
the signed surrender notice. You can ask in writing to dissolve the order; the judge must find by clear
and convincing evidence that you're no longer a risk (NRS 33.600, 33.640). When it ends, the court orders
your guns returned.
Forms
All free from the Civil Law Self-Help Center. These are the non-domestic forms; domestic violence forms are at the Family Law Self-Help Center.
To ask for protection —
Application for Temporary Protection Order (stalking, harassment, harm to a child, sexual assault);
Confidential Information Sheet (goes with every application);
Civil Cover Sheet (North Las Vegas requires it; Las Vegas doesn't; ask the clerk in other courts).
Workplace harassment (employers) —
Application for Temporary Protection Order;
Application for Extended Order;
Employer's Motion for Refund of Remaining Security.
For the person named:
Motion for an Award from the Security;
Motion to Increase the Security.
Red flag (high-risk behavior) —
Application (family or household member);
Application (law enforcement);
District Court Civil Cover Sheet;
Firearms Surrender Notice.
After an order is filed —
Motion to Modify, Dissolve, Extend or Enforce a Protection Order (one form for all four);
Opposition to Application for Protection Order.
Appealing an extended order —
Notice of Appeal to District Court;
Statement of Points on Appeal;
Statement of Evidence or Proceedings (only if the hearing wasn't recorded);
Appellate Brief (if the District Court asks for briefs).
The whole process on one page —
Protection order flowchart (PDF).
More forms: Civil Law Self-Help Center protection order forms and the
Nevada courts' protection order forms.
Where to file
Las Vegas Justice Court — Regional Justice Center, 200 Lewis Ave, 1st floor, downtown
Las Vegas. Monday to Thursday, 7am to 5pm, closed Fridays and holidays.
702-671-3116. E-filing through
eFileNV.
Henderson, North Las Vegas and the other justice courts — addresses and filing options
are on the Self-Help Center's
Justice Courts page.
Eighth Judicial District Court (red flag orders only) — Regional Justice Center,
200 Lewis Ave, 3rd floor, Las Vegas, NV 89155. A judge must hear a red flag application within 1
judicial day; police applications can be heard by phone around the clock (NRS 33.565).
Family Court (domestic violence orders) — see the divorce page
for the Family Law Self-Help Center's address and phone.
Free help
Civil Law Self-Help Center — Regional Justice Center, 200 Lewis Ave, 1st floor.
Monday to Thursday, 7am to 5pm, Fridays 8am to 4pm. Free forms and help checking them. Staff can't give
legal advice.
Harassment and protection guide.
Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada — 725 E. Charleston Blvd.
702-386-1070.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police — call 911 in an emergency or
311 to report a violation when no one is in immediate danger.
lvmpd.com.
Nevada Confidential Address Program — gives victims of sexual assault, stalking,
domestic violence or human trafficking a substitute address so the person can't find where you live. You
apply in person through a certified advocate. Now run by the Division of Child and Family Services:
888-432-6189 toll free or 775-684-5707.
Program page.
If you need a safe place to stay — see shelters for SafeNest's
24/7 hotline and S.A.F.E. House.
Good to know
You can mark addresses like your home or job as "confidential" on the application, but then the order may not list them, and police may hesitate to arrest someone at a place the order doesn't name. Weigh that before you leave a location off.
A protection order is on top of, not instead of, a criminal case. You can report the crime to police and ask for an order at the same time.
Read the laws yourself: NRS 200.571 to 200.601 (stalking and harassment), NRS 200.378 (sexual assault), NRS 33.400 to 33.440 (children), NRS 33.200 to 33.360 (workplace), NRS 33.500 to 33.670 (red flag).