Accused Of Domestic Violence in Pinellas County? How To Protect Your Rights When Faced With an Injunction

Have you been served with a domestic violence injunction in Pinellas County? Regardless of the reasons or whether there is evidence to back up the alleged victim’s claim, you need to comply. Something like sending a text message or commenting on their social media could be considered a violation. Our experienced Clearwater domestic injunctions/restraining orders attorney explains the harsh penalties that could result and how to protect your rights.

How Domestic Violence Injunction Violations in Pinellas County Occur

Under the Florida Statutes, domestic violence injunctions protect spouses and other family members against threats and abuse. If you have a Pinellas County domestic violence injunction issued against you, it generally means you must avoid contact with the alleged victim, even if that means moving.

Once an injunction is in place, the court takes any violations seriously, even if they seem accidental or harmless. Common examples of actions that can be interpreted as contact or intimidation under state law include:

• Calling, texting, or emailing the protected person, even to apologize or explain.
• Contact through social media, including likes or comments on posts.
• Showing up at prohibited locations, such as the person’s home, job, or school.
• Having another person contact the victim on your behalf.
• Possessing firearms or weapons in violation of the injunction terms.

Pinellas County law enforcement officers have broad authority to arrest you for probable cause if they believe you violated an injunction, regardless of whether they have a warrant. To protect your rights in this situation, get legal help immediately.

What Happens After an Alleged Domestic Violence Injunction Violation in Florida

Domestic violence injunctions in Florida do not just address spousal abuse. They also cover dating violence, harrassment, stalking, and sexual abuse. Once an alleged violation occurs, the process moves quickly through the Pinellas County Criminal Court system. Here’s what typically happens:

• You may be subject to immediate arrest, even without formal charges.
• A hearing date is set, where prosecutors present evidence of the alleged violation.
• You may face additional injunction restrictions or an extension of the existing order.
• You may face jail time, probation, or fines if convicted.
• A permanent criminal record may result, affecting employment and housing opportunities as well as your rights to child custody and other Florida Family Court matters.

Our experienced Clearwater domestic injunctions/restraining order attorney can help. We challenge the evidence, argue a lack of intent, or demonstrate that the alleged contact was accidental or unavoidable. Getting professional legal help often makes the difference between dismissal and a conviction.

Contact Our Experienced Clearwater Domestic Injunctions/Restraining Order Attorney Today

Violations of domestic violence injunctions in Pinellas County carry potentially harsh legal and personal consequences. At The Reep Law Firm, we provide a strong legal defense for clients accused of injunction violations and related domestic violence charges.

Get legal help as soon as possible if you are accused of violating an injunction. Contact us today and request a confidential consultation with our experienced Clearwater Domestic Injunctions/Restraining Order Attorney.

Sources:

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0741/Sections/0741.30.html

flcourts.gov/Services/Family-Courts/domestic-relations-court-resources/family-law-forms/Domestic-Violence-12.980-Forms-A-E/Petition-for-Injunction-for-Protection-Against-Domestic-Violence