Protective orders are a civil proceeding invoked in order to keep someone safe from an individual who they believe may harm them in the immediate future. If someone filed a protective order against you, you may be at risk of losing a number of rights you were previously entitled to. However, a Boca Raton protective order defense lawyer could help you defend against injunctions filed against you, whether they are temporary or permanent in nature.
If you want to avoid the legal penalties associated with having a protective order filed against you, as well as the potential consequences of having an injunction appear on a background check and in public records, contact one of our seasoned domestic violence attorneys at Leifert & Leifert as soon as possible so we can provide you with the strategies and tools necessary to defend yourself.
Types of Protective Orders in Boca Raton
A protective order may also be referred to as an injunction, and there are several types of injunctions someone may file for. Repeat violence injunctions can be obtained when someone allegedly commits two acts of violence or stalking, with at least one occurring within six months of the petition being filed. Domestic violence injunctions can be obtained when a person is concerned about a spouse committing domestic violence in the imminent future.
Dating violence injunctions can be obtained in a similar manner as domestic violence injunctions. If someone is concerned about falling to dating violence, they can obtain a protective order against the possible offender. Dating violence is specific to two individuals who have had or continue to have a romantic and/or intimate relationship. Finally, stalking injunctions can be obtained as the result of physical or cyberstalking in a manner that is willful, malicious, and/or repeated. A Boca Raton protective order lawyer may have the knowledge and experience necessary to help anyone facing a protective order understand the type of injunction filed against them and what their options are.
Consequences of Being the Subject of an Order
In Florida, an individual who has had a protective order filed against them may be at risk of facing harsh consequences that could impact them in the short- and long-term including:
- The protective order being enforced beyond Florida lines and throughout the country
- Being forced to seek new employment if the individual who filed the protective order is a colleague
- Being forced to relocate if the individual who filed the protective order resides with the individual against whom the injunction was filed
- Being ordered to pay child support
- Being deported if the individual against whom the injunction was filed is not a U.S. citizen
- Being unable to purchase and/or carry a firearm, as well as the requirement to turn in any firearms or weapons already owned
Petitions for protective orders very frequently are crafted incorrectly, and with the right legal representation reviewing the petition, the individual may have an increased chance at a favorable resolution. Furthermore, a Boca Raton protective order lawyer can help individuals prepare for their hearings, seek witnesses who can speak favorably about their character, and identify fatal issues in the petition for the injunction, regardless of the type of protective order.
Speaking to a Boca Raton Protective Order Attorney
If you had a protective order filed against you, there are steps you can take to protect your rights and defend yourself from the consequences of an injunction. It is important to act to avoid the far-reaching consequences that could negatively impact your life and livelihood.
There are a number of possible strategic options that a Boca Raton protective order lawyer can explain to you. With the right legal representation, you may be able to work towards a favorable resolution. Call today to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys at Leifert & Leifert.