What do you do if Served with an Injunction or Restraining Order?

In Florida, when a person is in fear of becoming a victim of domestic violence, such as aggravated assault, sexual battery, or kidnapping, they can petition the court for an injunction, which is a civil matter, not criminal.  If someone is arrested for domestic violence than this would be criminal domestic violence.

The civil injunction is essentially a restraining order that prohibits the accused person from contacting the person that filed the petition with the courts. Sometimes, people petition the court for these injunctions at the end of a relationship when they are feeling frustrated and angry.

Still, even if you are innocent and never hurt the petitioner, nor intended to, the steps you take now will greatly affect any future case. Below are the most important things you should do, and those you should not, after being served with an injunction.

Do Not Speak to the Petitioner

It is natural to want to speak to the petitioner, whether you want to ask why they felt an injunction was necessary in the first place, or you want to ask them to drop the injunction. It is crucial that you do not do this. Judges award petitioners injunctions because they were convinced that the person was in danger. Regardless of whether or not that is true, if you contact the person you are directly violating the injunction, which will have serious consequences.

Complying with the order in this way means not directly contacting the petitioner, not passing messages through a third party, and not even talking to the petitioner if they contact you first.

Do Follow All the Terms of the Injunction

Along with not contacting the petitioner, the injunction may have other terms included in it as well. For example, if you have children with the petitioner, the injunction may state that you are also not allowed to contact the children. Again, it is crucial that you follow all of these terms, as failing to will have severe penalties.

Do Not Possess Any Firearms or Ammunition While the Injunction is in Place

When an injunction is in place in Florida, it is illegal to possess or transport a firearm. If you own a firearm when you are served with an injunction, it is best to have someone else take it from you while the injunction is in place. Due to the fact that it is also against the law to transport a firearm when an injunction is in place, it is also best to have that person come to your home to retrieve the firearm.

Do Speak to a Florida Domestic Defense Lawyer

Being served with an injunction is a very scary thing and you may not know what to do next. One of the first steps you should take is to speak to an experienced Tampa domestic violence attorney. At All Family Law Group, P.A. we can advise on the steps you should take and defend you against any criminal charges you may be facing. Call us today at (813) 672-1900 to schedule a free consultation and to get the legal advice you need.

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Domestic Violence Injunction vs. No Contact Order

Florida Governor Rick Scott recently signed into law Senate Bill 342, further clarifying the specifics of a “no contact order” and what types of communication it prohibits. No contact orders have long been used to protect victims of domestic violence and prevent the abuser from intimidating the victim. The new law’s clarifications use broad language to accommodate all forms of communication and firmly establish that no contact orders are in effect immediately upon the judge’s order. While no contact orders are exclusively used in the criminal context, the new clarifications additionally shed light on what constitutes communication for domestic violence injunctions.

What is a No Contact Order vs. Domestic Violence Injunction?

A no contact order is similar to a restraining order. Typically, it is ordered by a court as a condition of a defendant’s pre-trial release. The order prohibits a criminal defendant, or a convicted felon, from contacting the victim in the case. These orders usually last for the duration of the criminal matter or until the court otherwise removes or modifies it. The new law ensures that these orders go into effect immediately after the judge issues it. These are entirely criminal orders.

A domestic violence injunction (DVI) is similar to the no contact order in several ways. DVIs are applied for by victims of domestic violence who reasonably believe they are in imminent danger of further acts of domestic violence. If, based on the petition alone, the judge finds an immediate and present danger of domestic violence the court may grant a temporary DVI preventing the abuser from committing any acts of violence and communicating with the petitioner. These temporary orders can also provide the petitioner temporary custody and exclusive control of shared housing. DVIs become effective when the abuser is given a copy of the DVI paperwork. After the temporary hearing, a full hearing will be set, since the temporary order lasts a maximum of 15 days.

What Type of Communication is Prohibited?

Specifically, these prohibit the defendant from directly and indirectly contacting the victim. This means the defendant cannot personally call, text, email, instant message, gesture towards, touch, or even intentionally be near the victim. This includes all communications through social media and professional networking sites. To accommodate ever-changing communication technologies, the new law unequivocally states the defendant cannot communicate “orally or in any written form” to cover any and all measures of written or spoken communication.

Defendants also cannot indirectly contact the victim. This means defendants cannot cause a third person, usually a friend or family member, to contact the victim that they themselves are prohibited from speaking to.

How Can DVIs Be Lifted?

A DVI will last longer than the original 15 days set forth in the temporary order. These final injunctions may provide more protections than a temporary injunction and can last indefinitely. Should you be granted an indefinite DVI, motions to modify its conditions can be filed. Similar to the no contact order, DVIs cannot be eliminated simply because both parties wish to begin speaking or reunite; the judge must dissolve the DVI. Either party can petition the judge to terminate the order and the judge will decide whether or not to grant the termination.

How Do I Protect Myself?

If you are a victim of domestic violence or domestic abuse, there are powerful legal tools to help you obtain the protection you need. If a restraining order or DVI has been entered against you, there are legal procedures in place to protect your rights. The experienced and compassionate attorneys at All Family Law Group, P.A., in Tampa will provide experienced legal help in any domestic violence-related legal matter. Call 813-321-3421 for a free consultation, or contact us online today.

By Lynette Silon-Laguna Google+