INSTRUCTIONS FOR GUN VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDERS

Please thoroughly read all of the information for the instructions for filing for a Gun Violence Restraining Order.

Note: The employees of the Superior Court are prohibited by law from giving legal advice (Government Code §24004 and §68082).

STEP BY STEP – HOW TO OBTAIN A GVRO

  1. Request a petition from your local Superior Court:
    180 E. Weber Ave. Stockton 95202 209-992-5693
    Download online: courts.ca.gov/33679.htm
    or
    DOWNLOAD THE FORM HERE.
  2. Complete and submit the petition and other necessary paperwork (see details below).
  3. If the judge issues a temporary GVRO, ask a law enforcement officer to serve the order on the subject of the petition.
  4. Attend the hearing scheduled by the court. The hearing will be scheduled 21 days after filing the petition. At the hearing, a judge will decide if a one-year order will be issued.
  5. NO FILING FEE. NO FEE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Submitting Your Forms for Filing

  • All information must be completed and all forms must be dated and signed.
  • Documents must be typed or neatly hand printed, using blue or black ink only.
  • Lined paper or colored paper is not acceptable for filing.
  • Submit the original document only. The Court will provide you with a filed-stamped copy after the GVRO is entered by the Court.
  • If submitting the originals by mail, include a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) with adequate postage in order to have your copies returned to you. Failure to include a SASE will result in your copies being retained at the Courthouse until you personally pick them up. Documents not picked up within 30 days may be destroyed.
  • Gun Violence requests filed before 10:00 a.m. will be ready for pick up at 3:30 p.m. the same day. Requests filed after 10:00 a.m. will be ready for pick up at 3:30 p.m. the following business day. The clerk will inform you is there will be a change in this policy when your papers are filed.

Service of Documents

The Sheriff’s Office may be used for serving your restraining order on the other party. Their hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Their contact information is (209) 468-4475 and they are located at 7000 North Michael Canlis Boulevard, French Camp, CA 95231. Please call ahead for directions or further information. Their website is www.sjsheriff.org/.

Interpreter Needs

All court proceedings are in English. If you require the assistance of an interpreter, you may ask the Court to provide an interpreter by completing and filing Judicial Council form INT-300 – Request for Interpreter at www.courts.ca.gov/documents/int300.pdf.

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