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Domestic violence in Florida defines is any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death, committed by a family or household member against another family or household member.
“Family or household member” refers to any of the following persons:
- current or former spouses
- persons related by blood or marriage
- persons currently or formerly residing together as if a family, or
- parents who have a child in common, regardless of whether they were at any time married.
With the exception of parents who have a child in common, the persons must currently or previously have resided together in the same single dwelling unit in order to be considered a family or household member under Florida law.
(Fla. Stat. § 741.28).
For information about assault crimes in Florida, see Simple Assault in Florida and Aggravated Assault and Battery in Florida.
Penalties
A defendant found guilty of a domestic violence offense must serve a minimum of one year on probation, during which time the defendant must attend a batterers’ intervention program. The court is required to impose the batterers’ intervention program as a condition of the defendant’s probation unless the court states on the record why it believes this program would not be appropriate.
Someone who is convicted of a domestic violence offense involving the intentional infliction of bodily harm to another person must serve a minimum of five days in the county jail, unless the defendant’s sentence includes a non-suspended period of incarceration in a state correctional facility.
(Fla. Stat. § § 741.281, 741.283).
Getting an Injunction For Protection Against Domestic Violence
Anyone who is the victim of domestic violence, or who has reasonable cause to believe that he or she is about to become one, may ask a court for protection, by filing a petition requesting a court order directed at the abuser. Having left a residence or household to avoid domestic violence won’t affect this right.
Temporary injunctions: Fast, temporary help. The court should schedule a hearing for the earliest possible time. If the judge decides that there’s an immediate and present danger of domestic violence, the judge can act issue an order directed at the abuser, called a temporary injunction, even if the abuser has not taken part in the hearing.
Contested hearings. Sometimes the respondent (the person from whom the petitioner seeks protection) participates in the hearing (or asks for a hearing after learning of a temporary injunction). After hearing from both sides, if the judge decides that the petitioner (the person seeking protection) is the victim of domestic violence or is in imminent danger of becoming one, the judge can issue an injunction.
Protections Provided by Injunctions
Injunctions may contain the following provisions:
- restraining the respondent from committing any acts of domestic violence
- awarding exclusive use and possession of the parties’ shared dwelling or excluding the respondent from the petitioner’s residence
- providing temporary support for minor children or the petitioner until the injunction expires or a civil order affecting child support is entered
- order the respondent to participate in treatment, intervention, or counseling services, and
- any other relief that the court deems necessary to protect the victim.
(Fla. Stat. § 741.30).
Penalties for Violating an Injunction
It is a misdemeanor in the first degree, punishable by up to a year in jail, to violate an injunction for protection from domestic violence by:
- refusing to vacate the dwelling shared by the parties
- going to or being within 500 feet of the petitioner’s residence, school, place of employment, or a specified place frequented regularly by the petitioner and any named family or household member
- committing a domestic violence act against the petitioner
- committing any other violation of the injunction through an intentional unlawful threat, word, or act to commit violence against the petitioner
- telephoning, contacting, or otherwise communicating with the petitioner either directly or indirectly, except for where the injunction allows indirect communication through a third party
- coming within 100 feet of the petitioner’s vehicle regardless of whether the vehicle is occupied
- destroying or defacing the petitioner’s personal property, including the petitioner’s vehicle
- refusing to surrender firearms or ammunition to the court.
(Fla. Stat. § § 741.31, 775.082).
A respondent who knowingly, willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly follows, harasses, or cyberstalks the petitioner after the issuance of an injunction commits the offense of aggravated stalking. Aggravated stalking is a felony in the third degree, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
(Fla. Stat. § § 784.048, 775.082, 775.083).
Law Enforcement Duties
Florida law requires law enforcement officers investigating allegations of domestic violence to assist the victim in obtaining necessary medical treatment. Officers must also inform a victim that services are available through the domestic violence center. The victim must be provided a copy of the Legal Rights and Remedies Notice to Victims. The officer is required to complete a written report that includes documentation of any physical injuries observed by the officer, and the report must be filed with the law enforcement agency and a copy provided to the officer’s supervisor. If the officer decides not to make an arrest or to arrest two or more people, the report must contain the officer’s grounds for the decision.
An officer must attempt to determine which person is the primary aggressor in situations where multiple persons claim to be the victim of domestic violence. Florida statutory law expressly states a preference for arresting only the primary aggressor and not a person who acts in a reasonable manner in self-defense or in the defense of another family or household member from domestic violence.
(Fla. Stat. § 741.29).
Consult with a Lawyer
A conviction for a domestic violence offense in Florida can carry significant criminal penalties. Allegations of domestic violence can also subject you to an injunction that affects your parental rights as well as the disposition of shared property. If you are charged with a domestic violence offense or are accused of domestic violence in a petition for an injunction, an experienced lawyer can provide invaluable guidance. A lawyer will protect your rights and work towards a successful resolution of your case. If your case proceeds to trial, a skilled lawyer will contest the prosecutor’s case while advocating for your acquittal.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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