A Florida Defense Firm Helping Clients Contest Violence Injunctions
In most of the country, they are known as restraining orders. Florida refers to them as injunctions. They are court orders sought by alleged victims of violence against their alleged abusers.
Courts often issue injunctions based on little evidence, and they can be very difficult for the average person to contest. If you’ve been named in an injunction, it is critical to work with an experienced attorney like those at Janet E. Johnson, P.A. The firm is exclusively focused on criminal defense and represents clients throughout Florida.
A Basic Overview Of Injunctions
The person who seeks the injunction (the alleged victim) is known as the petitioner. If you’ve been named in an injunction, you are considered the respondent. There are five basic types of injunctions in Florida. They include:
- Injunction against domestic violence
- Injunction against stalking
- Injunction against sexual violence
- Injunction against dating violence
- Injunction against repeat violence
The specific injunction filed will depend on the nature of the current/former relationship between you and the petitioner as well as the specific acts of violence/threats alleged.
Injunctions Can Be Very Disruptive To Your Life
Injunctions prohibit you from having contact/communication with the petitioner or being near them. This is a serious problem if you share a home or have children together. An injunction could force you out of your home and cut off contact with your kids. If the petitioner was a neighbor or a coworker, an injunction could greatly limit your use of your own property or make it very difficult to do your job.
Although injunctions are civil court orders, you can face criminal consequences for violating one. A violation is often charged as a first-degree misdemeanor, which could result in fines of up to $1,000 and up to a year in prison. More serious violations could result in even more significant charges and longer potential prison sentences.
Why You Need A Skilled Attorney Fighting For You
In nearly every case, the petitioner will first seek a temporary injunction, which lasts for 15 days. There is no hearing before this temporary injunction, so you don’t have a chance to contest it. However, the court will schedule the final hearing within the 15-day window to determine if a permanent injunction is warranted.
You will be a part of this hearing, and you need to have an experienced attorney helping you argue against a permanent injunction. Those who try to represent themselves often violate procedural rules or say things that ultimately end up making the situation worse. Given how consequential a permanent injunction will be, you need an advocate like Ms. Johnson to protect your rights and help you contest the petitioner’s claims.
Don’t Wait Until Your Time Is Up – Seek Help Today
If you’ve been named in a temporary injunction, contact Janet E. Johnson, P.A., as soon as possible so that an attorney can begin to craft your defense strategy. The firm offers free initial consultations to prospective clients anywhere in Florida. To schedule yours, call the Jacksonville office at 904-820-3455 or reach out online.