Statutes: Alaska

(a) A person who is or has been a victim of a crime involving domestic violence may file a petition in the district or superior court for a protective order against a household member. A parent, guardian, or other representative appointed by the court under this section may file a petition for a protective order on behalf of a minor. The court may appoint a guardian ad litem or attorney to represent the minor. Notwithstanding AS 25.24.310 or this section, the office of public advocacy may not be appointed as a guardian ad litem or attorney for a minor in a petition filed under this section unless the petition has been filed on behalf of the minor.

(b) When a petition for a protective order is filed, the court shall schedule a hearing and provide at least 10 days’ notice to the respondent of the hearing and of the respondent’s right to appear and be heard, either in person or by an attorney. If the court finds by a preponderance of evidence that the respondent has committed a crime involving domestic violence against the petitioner, regardless of whether the respondent appears at the hearing, the court may order any relief available under (c) of this section. The provisions of a protective order issued under

(1) (c)(1) of this section are effective until further order of the court;

(2) (c)(2) - (16) of this section are effective for one year unless earlier dissolved by court order.

(c) A protective order under this section may

(1) prohibit the respondent from threatening to commit or committing domestic violence, stalking, or harassment;

(2) prohibit the respondent from telephoning, contacting, or otherwise communicating directly or indirectly with the petitioner;

(3) remove and exclude the respondent from the residence of the petitioner, regardless of ownership of the residence;

(4) direct the respondent to stay away from the residence, school, or place of employment of the petitioner or any specified place frequented by the petitioner or any designated household member;

(5) prohibit the respondent from entering a propelled vehicle in the possession of or occupied by the petitioner;

(6) prohibit the respondent from using or possessing a deadly weapon if the court finds the respondent was in the actual possession of or used a weapon during the commission of domestic violence;

(7) direct the respondent to surrender any firearm owned or possessed by the respondent if the court finds that the respondent was in the actual possession of or used a firearm during the commission of the domestic violence;

(8) request a peace officer to accompany the petitioner to the petitioner’s residence to ensure that the petitioner

(A) safely obtains possession of the petitioner’s residence, vehicle, or personal items; and

(B) is able to safely remove a vehicle or personal items from the petitioner’s residence;

(9) award temporary custody of a minor child to the petitioner and may arrange for visitation with a minor child if the safety of the child and the petitioner can be protected; if visitation is allowed, the court may order visitation under the conditions provided in AS 25.20.061;

(10) give the petitioner possession and use of a vehicle and other essential personal items, including a pet, regardless of ownership of the items;

(11) prohibit the respondent from consuming controlled substances;

(12) require the respondent to pay support for the petitioner, a minor child in the care of the petitioner, or a pet in the care of the petitioner if there is an independent legal obligation of the respondent to support the petitioner, child, or pet;

(13) require the respondent to reimburse the petitioner or other person for expenses associated with the domestic violence, including medical expenses, counseling, shelter, and repair or replacement of damaged property;

(14) require the respondent to pay costs and fees incurred by the petitioner in bringing the action under this chapter;

(15) order the respondent, at the respondent’s expense, to participate in (A) a program for the rehabilitation of perpetrators of domestic violence that meets the standards set by, and that is approved by, the Department of Corrections under AS 44.28.020(b), or (B) treatment for the abuse of alcohol or controlled substances, or both; a protective order under this section may not require a respondent to participate in a program for the rehabilitation of perpetrators of domestic violence unless the program meets the standards set by, and that is approved by, the Department of Corrections under AS 44.28.020(b);

(16) order other relief the court determines necessary to protect the petitioner or any household member.

(d) If the court issues a protective order under this section, it shall

(1) make reasonable efforts to ensure that the order is understood by the petitioner and by the respondent, if present; and

(2) have the order delivered to the appropriate local law enforcement agency for expedited service and for entry into the central registry of protective orders under AS 18.65.540.

(e) A court may not deny a petition for a protective order under this section solely because

(1) there is a lapse of time between an act of domestic violence and the filing of the petition;

(2) the act of domestic violence was the basis for a previous protective order; or

(3) a court previously found that the incident was a crime of domestic violence committed against the petitioner but declined to order relief under this section, if the petition alleges a change in circumstances since the court’s previous finding.

(f) Within 30 days before, or within 60 days after, the expiration of a protective order issued or extended under (b)(2) of this section, a petitioner may petition the court for an extension of the protective order. The court shall schedule a hearing and provide at least 10 days’ notice to the respondent of the hearing and of the respondent’s right to appear and be heard, either in person or through an attorney. If the court finds that an extension of the provisions of the order is necessary to protect the petitioner from domestic violence, regardless of whether the respondent appears at the hearing, the court may extend the provisions of the order. An extension granted under this subsection is effective for one year unless earlier dissolved by court order. If the court grants an extension before the protective order expires, the extension takes effect on the day the protective order would have expired.