How long does a POF record remain active?

The correct answer is that a POF (Protective Order File) record remains active until it is canceled or cleared. This reflects the ongoing nature of protective orders, which are designed to provide a continued level of protection until the issuing authority, such as a court, determines that the order is no longer necessary. The record serves as an important tool for law enforcement and related agencies to maintain awareness of the protective status, ensuring that the rights and safety of individuals are upheld.

This means that the existence of the POF record is linked to the legal status of the protective order itself rather than contingent upon an individual’s arrest, a set time limit, or the subject’s residency status. Each of those alternatives does not accurately capture the procedure and purpose behind the management of protective order records, which is fundamentally about ensuring that they remain in effect as long as deemed necessary by the appropriate judicial authority.