Representing Tampa-Area Clients in Family Law Cases Involving Injunctions for Protection
If you’re considering filing an injunction for protection, or if you’ve had one filed against you, have you considered the impact that it may have on any pending family law matters? Injunctions for protection (commonly referred to as “restraining orders”) can substantially affect child custody agreements and time-sharing plans. Courts don’t want to place children into a potentially dangerous environment, so they consider evidence of abuse, including the existence of any injunctions for protection. Although courts generally operate under the belief that both parents should have contact with a child, when there’s a question of abuse, the alleged abuser will have to prove why he or she should be granted custody or visitation.
Because an injunction for protection can have such a significant impact on child custody agreements and time-sharing plans, it’s wise to seek counsel from an experienced family law attorney. If you’re in the Tampa Bay area, you can turn to the Law Offices of Audrey A. Jefferis, P.A. We can represent you at your upcoming injunction return hearing and also advise you on how to move forward with your family law case.
Injunctions for Protection
Florida has well-established, powerful civil laws that protect victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, dating violence, and stalking. Victims can prevent their abusers from contacting them by obtaining an injunction for protection. Once the victim has filed a sworn petition seeking an injunction, the court will review the victim’s description of what happened and determine whether there’s a sufficient legal basis to issue an injunction. If there is, the court will issue a temporary injunction ordering the alleged abuser to refrain from contacting the victim. The court will also schedule a hearing to take place, during which the victim will have to appear and testify, so that the court can decide whether to extend the injunction beyond the temporary period. Under certain circumstances, injunctions can remain in place for several months or even years.
Learn More
If you’re unsure how an injunction for protection — whether a temporary injunction or a permanent restraining order — will affect your family law case, contact the Law Offices of Audrey A. Jefferis, P.A., to set up a consultation. We proudly serve clients from across the Tampa Bay area at our main office in New Port Richey, FL. We can meet with you there or at our satellite location in Palm Harbor, FL. We’re available from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, so be sure to let us know a date and time that works for you.