Yes! You can use AI to fill out Form CH-100, Request for Civil Harassment Restraining Orders (Civil Harassment Prevention)

In Section 7, filers often use emotional or conclusory language instead of providing specific, factual details of harassing conduct. This happens due to the stress of the situation and not understanding that a judge needs concrete facts, dates, and actions to grant an order. A vague description can weaken the case and lead to the request being denied for failing to establish a 'course of conduct' or 'substantial emotional distress.' To avoid this, create a clear timeline of events with dates, locations, witnesses, and direct quotes before filling out the form.

People often list family or household members in Section 3a but then fail to explain in Section 3b why those specific individuals also need protection. The court cannot assume that harassment directed at the filer automatically extends to others without explicit evidence. This omission can result in the restraining order only protecting the primary filer, leaving children or other household members vulnerable. To prevent this, clearly describe specific incidents, actions, or threats made by the restrained person towards each additional person listed.

In Section 1b, a person seeking protection may list their actual home address out of habit, even when they want to keep it private for safety reasons. The form explicitly allows for an alternative mailing address, but this instruction is often missed in a stressful situation. Disclosing the home address makes it part of the public record and accessible to the person they are seeking protection from, defeating a key safety purpose of the order. Always use a secure alternative address, like a P.O. Box or a lawyer's address, if you have safety concerns.

Filers may leave fields in Section 2 blank, such as the address or age of the person from whom protection is sought, because they are unsure of the details. However, a full name and a known address are critical for law enforcement to properly serve the legal documents. Without successful service, the court cannot proceed with the hearing or make the restraining order enforceable. It is crucial to provide as much identifying information as possible, including a physical description and work address on the separate, confidential CLETS-001 form, to assist the process server.

In Section 6, individuals may forget or fail to disclose previous legal cases with the other party, such as divorce, custody, or other civil matters. This can happen due to poor record-keeping or a misunderstanding of what needs to be disclosed. Failing to list these cases can damage credibility with the judge and may result in conflicting court orders, which complicates legal matters significantly. Before filing, gather any documents from previous legal actions and list each case, including the case number and county, as accurately as possible.

The explanation in Section 4, 'How do you know the person in 2?', is often too brief (e.g., 'we know each other'). This field is crucial because the type of relationship determines if the case belongs in civil court or if it should be a Domestic Violence Restraining Order filed in family court. An incorrect or unclear description can lead to the case being filed in the wrong jurisdiction, causing significant delays or outright dismissal. Clearly state the nature and duration of the relationship, such as 'neighbor for 5 years,' 'former co-worker at XYZ Corp,' or 'landlord of my previous apartment.'

When requesting a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) in Section 11, filers must explain why they need immediate protection and, if applicable, why they couldn't give notice to the other party. People often check the box but provide a weak or no explanation. This can result in the judge denying the immediate order, leaving the filer unprotected for weeks until the court hearing. To avoid this, clearly articulate the immediate danger or threat of harm that justifies issuing the order without the other party being present.

In Section 13, a filer might check box 13c to waive court fees but then forget to complete and attach the required FW-001 'Application for Waiver of Court Fees and Costs' form. This happens because they miss the instruction printed on the form itself. This omission will cause the court clerk to reject the filing until the fee is paid or the proper waiver application is submitted, delaying the legal process. If requesting a fee waiver based on financial hardship, ensure the FW-001 form is fully completed and filed along with the CH-100.

The signature and date on the final page are a declaration under penalty of perjury that the information provided is true and correct. In the rush to complete the lengthy form, filers sometimes forget this final, critical step. An unsigned form is invalid and will be immediately rejected by the court clerk, halting the entire process until it is properly signed. Always double-check the last page to ensure you have signed and dated the form before submitting it. AI-powered form filling tools like Instafill.ai can flag missing signature fields to prevent this error.

The form frequently prompts users to attach additional pages (using form MC-025) for long explanations, but filers often write in the margins or forget to include the attachments. They may also forget to check the box indicating that an attachment is being used. This results in an incomplete filing where the judge does not see the full story, weakening the case. To avoid this, use the MC-025 form for all overflow text, label each attachment exactly as instructed (e.g., 'Attachment 7b—Previous Harassment'), and count and enter the total number of attached pages in Section 17.

In Section 9, filers may check the boxes for places they want the person to stay away from but forget to specify the distance in yards. Leaving this blank forces the judge to guess at a reasonable distance, which may be less than what is needed for the filer's safety. This can lead to an order that is difficult to enforce or does not provide adequate protection. To avoid this, specify a clear and reasonable distance (e.g., 100 yards) and check all applicable locations, including home, work, school, and vehicle.