SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- An investigation is under way to determine whether the Greene County circuit clerk discouraged citizens from seeking temporary restraining orders against suspected dangerous individuals.

Greene County Prosecutor Darrell Moore said Thursday that he asked the sheriff's department to investigate Circuit Clerk Mike Carr.

If a probe finds the allegations have merit, Carr could face charges and be removed from the office he's held for 30 years, officials said.

About 20 people have complained in recent weeks about treatment by Carr and at least one deputy clerk while seeking ex-parte or child protection orders. Ex-partes are temporary restraining orders that are often sought against a person who is believed to be a threat. They are good for 15 days and allow police to arrest violators.

"This referral doesn't mean he's done anything wrong at this point," Moore said. "The question has to be: Is he doing something he's not legally entitled to do, that he has no authority to do? That's what we're focusing on."

Carr denies the allegations and says some people may have misinterpreted actions or statements made by him or his staff.