Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What is an Injunction for Protection?
- An injunction is a judge's order that may:
- restrain the abuser from further acts of abuse.
- prevent the abuser from entering your:
- residence
- school
- business
- place of employment
- direct the abuser to leave your household (if necessary).
- award you temporary custody of your minor child or children (if necessary).
- direct the abuser to pay support to you and the minor children if the abuser has the legal obligation to do so.
How do I qualify for one against domestic violence?
- If the abuser is a(n):
- spouse
- ex-spouse
- person with whom you are or were residing as a family
- with whom you have a child in common.
- If you are the victim of any type of physical violence or stalking by the abuser, or if you have reason to believe you are about to become a victim of these acts.
How do I qualify for one against repeat violence?
- If your relation to the abuser does not qualify as domestic.
- If you are the victim of two incidents of physical violence or stalking, one occurring within the past six months.
How do I apply?
- Go to the Center for Prevention of Domestic Violence on the 7th floor of the City Hall Annex (220 E. Bay Street, Jacksonville). Intake staff will assist you in filling out a Petition for Injunction for Protection.
- Your Petition must include:
- specific facts and circumstances, including dates
- the abuser's home and work address
*these facts must convince the court that an immediate and present danger of violence exists.
- There is a filing fee.
- You will be asked to fill out a financial form to determine if you can pay this fee.
- If you cannot afford this fee, it may be paid at a later date or the abuser can be ordered pay it.
- The temporary Injunction is good for 15 days.
- This Injunction is signed by a judge and will order the abuser to stop physically harming you and threatening to harm you.
- Law enforcement officers will serve a copy of the injunction on the abuser.
- The temporary injunction becomes effective once this is done.
- An abuser can be arrested or brought to court for violating either a temporary of final injunction.
How do I get the final Injunction?
- Your Temporary Injunction will state the date, time, and location of the hearing for your Final Injunction. You must attend the hearing.
- If you do not attend:
- your petition may be dismissed by the judge.
- you may be ordered to pay the fees.
- At the hearing:
- you can tell the judge what has happened to you and whether you want the abuser to stay away from:
- you
- your home
- your place of work
- you can make recommendations for:
- child support
- visitation
- custody
- counseling
- drug/alcohol treatment
- and/or anything else you feel is needed to protect you
- The judge will sign your Final Injunction at the hearing.
- The Final Injunction can be valid for up to one year.
Once I have my Injunction for Protection:
- Do not:
- interfere with the performance of the law enforcement officers' duties when such assistance has been ordered by the court.
- invite the abuser to return to the home when the court has ordered the abuser to leave the home.
- allow the abuser to violate the Injunction in any way.
What do I do if my Injunction is a violated?
- If the abuser:
- becomes violent
- refuses to leave the home when ordered
- comes to your home or work when ordered to stay away
- or contacts you when ordered not to,
you must call the police and report the violation for action to be taken.
- If the abuser violates these portions of the Injunction:
- the child support
- custody
- or visitation,
you must go to the Center for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (7th floor, City Hall Annex, 220 E. Bay Street, Jacksonville) to report the violation and seek action.
Important Phone Numbers:
- Emergency: 911
- Police - Non-emergency: 630-0500
- Hubbard House 24 Hour Hotline: 354-3114
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-500-1119