If you live in Orlando or anywhere in Central Florida and are threatened by domestic violence, once you have contacted law enforcement for immediate protection, you should get in touch with Orlando Family Team to receive prompt, compassionate assistance. Our skilled domestic violence attorneys will help you obtain a temporary protection order (also known as a domestic violence injunction or order of protection) to keep trouble at bay as we figure out what other actions need to be taken.
The Four Basic Types of Temporary Protection Orders
Protection orders are categorized by the kind of violence alleged and the nature of the relationship between the victim and the plaintiff:
- Domestic Violence may occur between spouses, former spouses, those related by blood or marriage, those who are, or have been, living together as a family, and parents (married or not) of the same child or children.
- Repeat Violence may be claimed when a person who does not fit into a domestic relationship as defined above has victimized the plaintiff with an act of violence or stalking twice when at least one episode has taken place within the previous six months.
- Dating Violence occurs when violence is perpetrated against one of two people in a romantic or intimate relationship within the previous six months.
- Sexual Violence committed by someone with whom you do not have a child in common and who is not a family or household member. If your minor child was a victim of sexual violence, you can file on behalf of your minor child only if s/he still lives at home and you are the parent or legal guardian.
To obtain a temporary protection order, we must file a petition in court and convince the court that you are facing immediate and present danger based on your account and/or witness testimony. No additional evidence will have to be presented until the hearing.
How Temporary Protection Orders Work
Temporary protection orders in Florida are worded to stop the defendant from abusing, harassing, threatening, stalking, or assaulting the plaintiff. If the defendant is found guilty of violating the temporary protection order, they may be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $1,000 and up to one year in jail.
Stipulations of a Temporary Protection Order
Until the date of the scheduled court hearing, typically 15 days from the time the temporary protection order takes effect, the defendant may be ordered to:
- Live elsewhere than the residence previously shared with the plaintiff
- Stay a certain distance away from the plaintiff
- Cease certain actions
- Refrain from phoning, texting, emailing, or contacting the plaintiff by any means
- Keep away from the home, workplace, or any other location the plaintiff and the plaintiff’s children frequent (e.g. the children’s school or favorite park or playground)
- Cease all contact with the plaintiff and any other named family members
- Surrender all guns or other weapons to the police
If the defendant has agreed to pay child support in a legal document or has been ordered by the court to do so, that support must continue until the court hearing.
Two Important Things to Remember About Temporary Protection Orders
Once our protection order attorneys have made certain that you have a temporary protection order in place, there are two important things to keep in mind:
[1] The police must be notified that there is a court order in place
[2] You should carry the injunction with you
Because many people are nervous about connecting with the police, our lawyers will be happy to lessen any stress by notifying law enforcement so your family is protected. More than that, once we have become your attorneys, you can count on us to provide you with powerful, empathic legal advocacy on an ongoing basis.
What Orlando Family Team Can Do to Help
Domestic violence and abuse are all too common in the state of Florida, occurring in a diverse array of families, from the very poor to the very wealthy. Our extensive experience with temporary protection orders makes our interactions with both victims and the courts highly effective. Well-executed, a temporary protection order can not only stop domestic abuse but also discourage physical and cyberstalking and other frightening and dangerous behaviors.
We will provide you with legal counsel to assist you in making serious decisions about your living arrangements and other concerns for the future, including providing you with resources about accessible safehouses. We will also help you gather evidence to support your claims of domestic violence, including:
- Letters
- Emails
- Phone records/ recordings
- Text messages
- Photos
- Surveillance and other video footage
- Testimony of friends, relatives, neighbors, teachers, counselors, doctors
Let our family help yours. We have handled divorce, spousal support, child custody, child support and visitation, and all other factors associated with temporary protection orders for a great many Floridians, and welcome the opportunity to serve you and your family.
You can count on us to appear to represent you at your hearing and to provide whatever kind of support you need to get you through this frightening period. At the hearing, we will present convincing evidence to persuade the court that the temporary injunction should become a permanent protection order which typically lasts for one year, but can be extended.
We Know that Orders Can Be Misused
As family law attorneys, we provide conscientious support to our clients, whether they are in danger of being physically attacked or of being harmed by false accusations of domestic violence.
We are quite familiar with unscrupulous parties who make false accusations of domestic violence, for example against a divorcing spouse, to intimidate that individual or to get the upper hand in divorce negotiations. Aware that temporary protection orders can be misused, Orlando Family Team is fully prepared to defend you from false charges and to protect your finances, your freedom, and your reputation.
Contact Our Experienced Temporary Protection Order Attorneys Today!
If you are a victim of domestic violence, there is no time to waste. In a great many cases, situations like these get worse before they get better and may result in grave injury or even fatality. Don’t take chances with your life or the lives of your children or other family members. Contact Orlando Family Law Team today so we can provide you with the safety and support you need right now.