Domestic Violence
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A petition for domestic violence injunction – sometimes called a restraining order– can be filed by anyone who is the victim of any act of domestic violence (including repeat violence, dating violence and sexual violence) or has reasonable cause to believe he or she is in imminent danger of becoming the victim of any act of domestic violence.
Florida Statutes outline what a petitioner may seek protection from in various types of petitions:
- Domestic violence involving spouses, former spouses, persons related by blood or marriage, persons who are or have lived together as a family, or persons who have a child in common. For persons who have a child in common, the family or household members must be currently residing together or have in the past.
- Dating violence is between individuals who have or have had a continuing and significant relationship of a romantic or intimate nature.
- Repeat violence involves incidents on two separate occasions, one of which must have occurred within the past six months.
- Sexual violence involves any incident of sexual battery, lewd or lascivious acts committed on or in the presence of a person younger than 16, luring or enticing a child, sexual performance by a child, or any other forcible felony wherein a sexual act is committed or attempted.
When filing a petition for an injunction, you do not need to be represented by an attorney. As part of the filing process, you will be asked for identification; so be sure to have your driver’s license or other type of identification with you. Currently, filing fees are not required for an injunction petition.
Persons seeking to file for a domestic violence injunction should go to one of these offices for the Clerks of Court in Pasco and Pinellas counties.
Pasco County |
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New Port Richey Office |
Dade City Office |
Pinellas County |
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Civil Court Records 315 Court Street, Room 170 Clearwater, FL 33756 Telephone: 727.464.7000 |
St. Petersburg Branch Office 545 First Avenue North, Room 101 St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Telephone: 727.464.7000 |
Pinellas County Justice Center |
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If You Need Assistance |
Agencies that provide assistance to victims of domestic violence include:
In Pasco County:
- Sunrise at 352.521.3120 - free confidential hotline available 24/7
In Pinellas County:
- Community Action Stops Abuse (CASA) at 727.895.4912
- The Haven Domestic Violence Center at 727.442.4128
Additional Information |