Tampa Protective Order:: Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida :: Protective Order Family Law Attorney
Tampa Protective Order Attorney for Domestic Violence
Stalking, aggravated stalking, battery, aggravated battery, assault, aggravated assault, sexual assault, sexual battery, false imprisonment, kidnapping, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member by another family or household member is considered “domestic violence” in Florida.
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| Protective Order Family Law Attorney |
Child Abuse includes:
- Intentional physical or mental injury to a child
- An intentional act that could reasonably be expected to result in physical or mental injury to a child or
- Active encouragement of any person to commit an act that results or could reasonably be expected to result in physical or mental injury to a child
Protective Orders
If faced with family violence, you should seek the counsel of a skilled Tampa divorce lawyer or family lawyer. A lawyer who handles domestic (family) violence will be able to help you understand the procedure for getting a protective order against the abuser, and walk you through the steps along the way. Applications for a protective order are confidential until the person against whom you file the protective order has been given notice. Consulting with a dedicated family violence lawyer will prepare you for the time when that person learns about it, and will help you deal with any fallout.
How much does it cost to file for a protective order?
In Florida, filing for a protective order against domestic, repeat, dating or sexual violence is free. Click to find instructions and a free form to file an injunction for protection against domestic violence from the Florida courts. Even though the filing is free, if you hire a personal Tampa family violence attorney to assist you and to do the papers, you may have to pay him or her for that service.
Who can file for a protective order in Tampa?
An adult may file an application for a protective order in Tampa to protect him or herself, any other member of the family, or a child from family violence. In many states, a prosecuting attorney or other official may also file on behalf of the victim of family violence.
I need protection now! What should I do?
If your application for a protective order shows there is a clear and present danger to you, the court may issue an immediate temporary ex parte order without notice to the abuser. This type of protective order is valid for a short period of time but it may be extended. If you are a victim of family violence, seek professional help from a licensed Tampa domestic violence attorney right away. To find local shelters and assistance, go to the domestic violence page.
Dating Violence in Tampa
Violence does not just occur in the home between family members. Dating violence is epidemic and under-reported. It can happen in heterosexual or same-gender relationships between people of any age no matter the social or economic status or race. "Dating violence" in Florida means violence between individuals who have or have had a continuing and significant relationship of a romantic or intimate nature meaning:
- A dating relationship must have existed within the past 6 months
- There was an expectation of affection or sexual involvement between the parties and
- The persons have been involved over time and on a continuous basis.
Dating violence does not include violence in a casual relationship or between people who only have a business or social relationship. You can file a petition for a protective order if you are the victim of dating violence and you believe you are in imminent danger of it happening again, or you are the parent or legal guardian of a minor child who is living at home and you seek an injunction for protection against dating violence on behalf of that minor child. See an experienced Tampa dating violence attorney for help and advice on how to stop an abusive dating relationship.
Who is affected by dating violence?
- Approximately 1 in 5 high school female students say they were physically and/or sexually abused by their dating partner.
- LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered) teen couples are just as likely as heterosexual couples to be involved in dating violence.
- 57% of teens say they know of a peer who has been physically, sexually, or verbally abusive to their dating partner.
- 33% of teens have actually seen the abuse or violence themselves.
What can happen when you are in an abusive relationship?
- Studies show that over 20% of girls between 16 – 19 years old who were killed were killed by their dating partners.
- 58% of rape victims say they were first raped between the ages of 12 and 24.
- In a 2005 Liz Claiborne study, 45% of teen girls said they knew of someone who had been pressured into having sex when they were not ready.
Anger Management Therapists and Counselors
If you or a loved one cannot control anger and someone might get hurt because of it, or you need help in your relationship with your spouse, partner, or parent of your child, please get help from a therapist near you.
