Domestic
Violence Department: (863) 534-4184
If a member of your household has committed a crime against you resulting in your
physical injury, you may have grounds to petition the court for an "Injunction
for Protection Against Domestic Violence." This also applies if that person has
only placed you in fear (either with words or physical acts), and has made you
believe you would be immediately harmed by an unlawful act of violence.
This protection is available to you if that person
presently resides with you as if he/she is a member of the family, or has lived
together with you in the past as if they were a family member and they can be
identified as:
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A spouse
-
A former spouse
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A person related by blood or marriage
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A person who has lived together with you as though they were your spouse, or
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A person with whom you have had a child together, even if you have never lived
together.
What is an injunction?
It is a court order sometimes called a "Restraining Order",
that directs the person not to have any contact with you.
Where can I obtain an injunction?
You can petition the court for an
Injunction for Protection Against Domestic Violence by going to the Clerk of
Court, Domestic Violence Department, 1st Floor, Polk County Courthouse in
Bartow.
The Clerk's Office will
assist you in filing your petition and will take the file to a judge for his/her
review. If the judge finds merit to the petition, he/she will enter a Temporary
Order for Protection Against Domestic Violence.
If the Domestic Violence occurs after regular business
hours or on weekends or holidays you may call 911 to report the abuse. If the
law enforcement officer determines that you need an injunction, a deputy clerk
will be contacted. The deputy clerk will assist you with a safety plan, which
may include requesting injunction. If an injunction is needed, the deputy clerk
will prepare the paperwork and will present it to the judge to be approved or
denied.
What are the costs?
Under Florida Law, effective October 1, 2002, there is no
fee to file for a domestic violence Injunction for Protection. Other petitions
for injunction are subject to the standard Circuit Court filing fees, currently
$101.50.
What can the injunction do for you?
The injunction can provide such relief as the
court deems proper, including:
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Restrain the violator from committing any
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acts of domestic violence;
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Award you temporary exclusive use of the home;
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Award you temporary custody of your children - Establish temporary child
support for minor children (if the violator has a legal obligation to do so);
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May order the violator to participate in counseling.
What happens after the Judge grants the temporary injunction?
The violator must be personally served with a copy of the petition, notice of hearing and temporary injunction.
The formal hearing will be scheduled for court within 15 days. You and the
violator are required to attend the hearing.
Any injunction granted by the court will be effective until
further order of the court, unless the judge includes an expiration date. Either
party may ask the court to modify or dissolve the injunction, and that decision
is made by the judge.
Copies
of all injunctions are placed on file with local law enforcement agencies and
are entered into a statewide computer system.