Avvo Rating badge
NACDL badge
Expertise badge
Avvo Rating badge
Expertise Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in St. Petersburg
The National Trial Lawyers Top 100

Domestic Violence Injunction Violations

St. Petersburg Lawyers Defending Parties in Criminal Proceedings

If you are accused of domestic violence in St. Petersburg, you face not only the possibility of criminal penalties, but also the likelihood that the victim will ask for a domestic violence injunction. A domestic violence injunction is a court order that prohibits or limits contact between family or household members when one has committed violence against another. The court puts the order in place, but unlike a no contact order in connection with criminal charges, the victim petitions separately for it. A knowledgeable St. Petersburg domestic violence attorney can help you navigate the legal issues associated with this kind of injunction.

Domestic Violence Injunction Violations

In Florida, domestic violence includes a range of crimes committed where the victim and perpetrator have a family or household relationship. You can be charged with domestic violence where you have the requisite family or household relationship with the victim and you committed stalking, aggravated stalking, assault, aggravated assault, sexual battery, sexual assault, battery, aggravated battery, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or other crimes that cause death or physical injury against the victim.

Under Florida Statutes section 741.30, somebody who is a victim of domestic violence or reasonably believes he or she is at imminent risk of becoming a domestic violence victim has standing to file a sworn petition, asking the court for a domestic violence injunction. Family or household members can also swear and file this type of petition. If the court grants the petition or puts in place a temporary injunction before a hearing is held, you can be subject to the domestic violence injunction sought by the purported victim.

It’s important to realize that an injunction is a court order. If you violate a domestic violence injunction, you can be charged with a first degree misdemeanor. That means you could face a maximum of a year in jail, 12 months of probation and a $1000 fine. Under certain circumstances, a violation constitutes aggravated stalking, which is a felony. To obtain a conviction, a prosecuting attorney needs to show beyond a reasonable doubt: (1) you repeatedly, maliciously, or willfully, (2) cyberstalked, harassed, and repeatedly followed someone else, (3) while an injunction was entered for the victim’s protection against domestic violence (or certain other forms of violence), and (4) you knew the injunction was entered against you. Most often, aggravated stalking charges are brought when there are multiple injunction violations that have been calculated to threaten or harass.

Terms and Length of an Injunction

The language of the injunction will dictate its terms and how long it will be in place. You should be aware that a circuit court judge can order an injunction to stay in full force and effect permanently. In other words, it could last indefinitely unless the court orders it dissolved or modified. Neither you nor the victim can change the rules put in place by the injunction without first getting the court to modify the injunction terms.

Types of Violations of Domestic Violence Injunctions

There are different kinds of domestic violence injunction violations. You might be charged for a violation involving your refusal to vacate a home shared with the victim, going within 500 feet of the victim or their home or job, intentionally threatening to perpetrate violence against the victim, or committing another act of domestic violence against the person who is protected. You could also be charged for calling the victim or contacting the victim on social media. You could be charged for intentionally going within 100 feet of the victim’s car whether or not he or she is in it. You could also be charged for defacing the victim’s car or other personal property.

Consult an Experienced Domestic Violence Attorney in St. Petersburg

Domestic violence is a serious offense. A conviction for domestic violence can change your life in many ways. Additionally, if you are subject to a domestic violence injunction, your activities will be significantly constrained. An experienced lawyer can help if you’re charged with a domestic violence injunction violation in St. Petersburg. The skillful founder of Hanlon Law, Will Hanlon, is committed to providing strategic defenses to those accused of criminal offenses. Please contact Hanlon Law at 727.289.0222 or via our online form.

Client Reviews
★★★★★
As a practicing attorney, I was shocked to hear that a family member of mine was alleged to have committed a sex crime. Knowing full well the consequences this type of allegation can have on anyone and their future, I immediately reached out to William Hanlon for help. I had every confidence that Mr. Hanlon had the knowledge, expertise, and experience to handle this problem. Approximately 4 weeks from an initial conference with Mr. Hanlon, we received a call with the news that a letter of release was being issued and the case was being dropped. Now my family member can finally exhale, take a deep breath, and go on with his life. Thank you, William! Jerry
★★★★★
Was on the ball. Remembered names, events, places, situations. Never need to re explain the situation. Keeps in touch through out the entire experience and keeps you feeling safe, comforted and protected. Fights hard. Worth every single penny. Would never settle for anything less than Will. Carrie
★★★★★
I was facing a charge that if convicted would carry two years in prison minimally. Not only was he empathetic and listening to what I had to say but he arranged with the prosecutor for my charges not to be filed under terms of a pre trial investigation. Would highly recommend. Alec
★★★★★
I am very happy for what he did for me. Always there when I needed him. Explained everything well. He Fights for his clients. He got me what I needed. Hes an excellent lawyer. Mutaz
★★★★★
Mr. Hanlon did what no other lawyer could do. Not only did he turn my criminal history into a thing of the past so I could move on, he was a loyal associate. No matter how bad the situation is, he has miraculously cleared me on every charge since he became my lawyer 5 years ago. I have the best lawyer that the legal system has to offer. I have had other really good lawyers try to get my business, but I know that no one can do a better job than William Hanlon. Jesse