What is the definition of a Domestic Violence Injunction?
A domestic violence injunction is a Florida court order protecting a person from abuse by a family or household member. It can order no contact, remove the accused from a shared home, and set temporary custody terms. Violating it is a criminal offense.
Who Qualifies
The petitioner must show the respondent is a spouse, former spouse, relative by blood or marriage, a cohabitant, or a co-parent. Florida also requires evidence of violence or a credible threat, not just general conflict.
How the Process Works
- A judge can grant a temporary (ex parte) injunction the same day, without the other side present
- A full hearing follows within about two weeks
- A final injunction can last indefinitely until dissolved or modified
What the Order Can Do
Judges can bar all contact, award temporary custody of children, require surrender of firearms, and set exclusive use of the home. In divorce cases, the injunction’s custody terms often shape the later parenting plan and timesharing schedule.
Related Terms
Need Protection or Facing an Injunction?
For help filing or responding, visit our Tampa domestic violence attorney page, or call Mindi Lasley, P.A. at (813) 873-9047.