Restraining Orders for Domestic Violence
Injunctions for Protection in Tampa, Hillsborough County, FL
Hillsborough County has special circuit family law divisions that hear each petition for an injunction against domestic violence or repeat violence in Tampa and Plant City, FL.
The Injunction for Protection (IFP) Against Violence Program for Hillsborough County is located at the George Edgecomb Courthouse Facility, 800 East Twiggs Street, Rm 101, Tampa, Florida, 33601. The program is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
After an individual applies for an injunction, the court will review the application and may issue a court order signed by a judge that can be served and or enforced by law enforcement.
Injunctions for Protection Against Domestic Violence -
Requires the petitioner alleged a relationship with the respondent that includes a spouse or former spouse, a person related by blood or marriage, a person with whom the petitioner is currently living or has formerly lived with in an intimate relationship, or against the mother or father of the petitioner's child, regardless of whether the parents were ever married or ever lived together.
An injunction for Protection Against Domestic Violence may be granted if it is alleged that the person did one of the following acts:
- Committed a crime which resulted in physical injury,
- Used words or physical acts to place the person in fear,
- Caused the person to believe they would be immediately harmed by an unlawful act of violence.
Injunction for Protection Against Repeat Violence -
Requires the petitioner to allege two separate acts of violence or stalking, one being within the last six months. The Injunction for Protection Against Repeat Violence is available for those individuals not covered by the Domestic Violence Injunctions. Injunctions for Protection Against Repeat Violence are sometimes filed against co-workers, neighbors, or friends.
Injunctions for Protection Against Dating Violence -
Require the petitioner to allege that they had a continuing and significant relationship of a romantic or intimate nature. It is determined by consideration of such facts as the dating relationship existed within the past six months, the nature of the relationship included an expectation of affection or sexual involvement and the frequency and type of interaction included involvement over time and on a continued basis.
Injunctions for Protection Against Sexual Violence -
Require the petitioner to allege one incident of any of the following acts that were reported to law enforcement regardless of whether any criminal charges were file (or even if the charges were dropped for reduced after being filed):
- Sexual battery, as defined in Florida Statutes Chapter 794;
- A lewd or lascivious act, as defined in Florida Statutes Chapter 800, committed upon or in the presence of a person younger than 16 years of age.
- Luring or enticing a child, as described in Florida Statutes Chapter 787.
- Sexual performance by a child, as described in Florida Statutes Chapter 827.
- Any other forcible felony wherein a sexual act is committed or attempted.
Other counties throughout Florida, including Pinellas County, Polk County, Manatee County, Sarasota County and Pasco County have similar programs for processing injunctions for protection against domestic violence or repeat violence.