If You are in Danger Call 911

The Violence Protection Division helps victims obtain injunctions for protection, commonly referred to as "restraining orders". Violence Protection staff assists victims in completing the necessary forms, explains the procedures involved in obtaining an injunction and assists with enforcement of the injunction.

Generally, Florida law states that a court can enter an injunction to protect the victim of violence under any of the following types of violent relationships:

Domestic Violence: Requires that the parties have lived together "as if a family" or have a child together. Petitioner must be a victim of domestic violence, or have reasonable cause to believe that violence is imminent.

Repeat Violence: Requires that the respondent have committed two incidents of violence against the petitioner or the petitioner's immediate family member, one of the incidents must have been within the past six months.

Dating Violence: Requires that the parties have had a continuing dating relationship within the past six months that involved the expectation of affection or sexual involvement. Petitioner must be a victim of violence or have reasonable cause to believe violence is imminent.

Sexual Violence: The Petitioner must be a victim of sexual violence, have reported that crime and be cooperating with law enforcement agencies; or the respondent who committed the sexual violence was sentenced and the term of imprisonment is expired or is due to expire within 90 days.

The Clerk of Court's Violence Protection Division provides the forms and instructions for completion. The completed petition and any other necessary forms are filed with the clerk, who will have a judge review the file as soon as possible, usually the same day. At that time the judge will determine whether to issue a Temporary Injunction with a hearing set within 15 days, set a hearing on the petition without issuing a temporary injunction, or deny the petition.

There is no fee to file an injunction or to have one served in the State of Florida.

For a victim who is a minor (less than 18 years of age,) a parent or guardian must file on behalf of (OBO) the minor child.

[ Back to Top ]

Phone Number: 941-741-4024
Fax Number: 941-741-4093
E-mail: Melanie McKeever, Supervisor
View Frequently Asked Questions

[ Back to Top ]

• 12th Judicial Circuit of Florida
• 24-hour Florida Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-500-1119
• HOPE Family Services Local, 24-hour Hotline 941-755-6805
• Florida Family Law Rules, Opinions and Forms
• View Frequently Asked Questions of our Violence Protection Advocates
• Review our Project Safe Staff presentation
• Family Violence Prevention Fund
• Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• The Harrell Center
• U.S. Department of Justice Violence Against Women Office
• Violence Against Women On-line Resources
• Florida Department of Children and Families
• Batterer Intervention Programs 

[ Back to Top ]