In the state of Florida, civil and criminal courts take domestic violence very seriously. Victims of domestic abuse often petition the court to create legal documents requiring the perpetrator to stay away. In domestic violence cases where a victim wishes to pursue legal remedies, a domestic violence lawyer in Jacksonville can help protect their rights.
What’s Considered Domestic Violence in Florida?
Domestic violence cases have two elements. First, there must be an overt act or a threat—and second, the violation must be against someone with whom the perpetrator has a romantic or familial relationship. Even acts that aren’t violent in nature can be considered domestic violence, such as stalking, kidnapping, and false imprisonment.
Who Can be Targeted by Domestic Violence?
For an act to be considered domestic violence, the victim and the perpetrator must have a family-like relationship. In Florida, spouses, former spouses, blood relatives, those who have children in common, and those living together as a family are covered. Your Domestic Violence Lawyer Jacksonville can guide you more about this.
Getting a Restraining Order
A restraining order is a legally binding document requiring a party to stay a predetermined distance from the applicant. A domestic violence victim can petition Florida’s courts for a restraining order, which reassures them that the law is on their side. In family court, the person requesting the restraining order must convince the judge that violence has occurred or is likely to happen. Call a domestic violence lawyer in Jacksonville for help with a restraining order.
Help is Only a Call Away
Whether domestic violence has already occurred or been happening for years, victims need to protect themselves. Contact the team at Eilert Law to protect you from violence in Florida.