Who is entitled to a Domestic Abuse Protection Order (DAPO) in Mississippi?
You can seek a DAPO if you fit into one of the following relationship categories:
- Current or former spouse
- People living together as spouses or who formerly lived together as spouses
- People who have children together
- People related by blood or marriage who reside together or who formerly resided together
- People in a current or former dating relationship
The relationships between current or former spouses, or between current or former boyfriend or girlfriend, are not limited to heterosexual relationships.
In order to get a DAPO in Mississippi, you must fit into one of the relationship categories listed above and you must present satisfactory proof to the Court that a DAPO is needed because your spouse has exhibited the following abusive behaviors toward you:
- Attempting to cause or causing bodily injury
- Placing, by physical menace or threat, another in fear of imminent serious bodily injury
- Criminal sexual conduct against a minor
- Stalking
- Cyberstalking
- Sexual Battery
- Rape
You will have to appear in Court and testify. A DAPO can also include protection for your children and other members of the household if the Court is satisfied that they are at risk because of your spouse's threats or violent conduct and they may be in danger from future harm due to your spouse's violent tendencies. However, more often than not only the children are included as additional protected persons under the DAPO.
Most recent publication by attorney Connie M. Smith
