Largo Domestic Violence Injunctions Lawyer
A domestic violence injunction goes by many names, including “no contact order” or “protective injunction.” These terms all mean the same thing: a court order instructing a person accused of domestic violence to stay away from an alleged victim.
At Reep Coleman & Stubbendorff we can work with either victims of domestic violence to secure a restraining order or represent those who are restrained. Call us today. In this article, our Largo domestic violence injunction lawyer covers the highpoints of what you need to know.
What is a Restraining Order?
This is a court order instructing a person to do something or to avoid doing something. In the domestic violence context, a judge usually demands the following of the alleged abuser:
- Avoid contacting the protected person and their family;
- Avoid going near the protected person or their family, including near schools or workplaces;
- Give up possession of any firearm;
- Attend treatment programs including an intervention program for batterers;
- Leave the shared household.
The court can also set temporary custody and child support orders, if the victim and their abuser share a child.
If the person restrained violates the order, the police can arrest them, and they can face additional criminal charges and penalties. Violating an order usually qualifies as domestic battery, which is a first-degree felony charge in Florida. A defendant can face up to a year in jail.
Guidelines for Domestic Violence Injunctions
A person can seek this restraining order if they face violence or imminent violence from a family member or another person in their household. They will fill out a petition and file it with the court. The petition should explain in detail the violence they have faced.
A judge can grant a temporary restraining order, which is fully effective for 15 days. The judge should arrange for the temporary order to be served on the person restrained.
However, the person subject to the order has a chance to present their side of the story before the judge grants a permanent injunction. This hearing is necessary—and anyone facing a restraining order should plan to attend with a lawyer. It’s possible to convince a judge that the alleged victim was exaggerating the harm or even outright lying. A defendant can ask the judge to dismiss the domestic violence injunction.
Call our firm if you need assistance. We have defended men and women facing domestic violence injunctions. Often, the accusations are based on hearsay or faulty memories. A person will often make an outlandish claim of violence as part of a custody fight or divorce. We can present evidence to a judge showing why the injunction is not necessary.
Get Help with Your Case by Calling Our Largo Domestic Violence Injunction Lawyers
Our Largo domestic violence injunction lawyer can help men and women with these cases. An experienced lawyer is a terrific benefit. Judges expect a professional presentation of evidence at a hearing, and you are at a marked disadvantage if you try to represent yourself. Contact us to schedule a consultation with our office.
