Domestic Violence

Yes, significantly. A domestic violence injunction is a civil court order, but its existence and the findings underlying it can have direct consequences in a related dissolution or paternity proceeding. A final injunction may affect timesharing arrangements, parental responsibility determinations, and the court's overall assessment of the parties. If an injunction has been entered against you, it is important to understand how it may be used in any related family law proceeding. If you are the petitioner, the injunction may provide important protections for you and your children during the pendency of a dissolution case.

Violation of a domestic violence injunction is a criminal offense under Florida law. A person who willfully violates the terms of an injunction for protection against domestic violence may be arrested and charged with a first degree misdemeanor, and repeat violations can result in felony charges. Enforcement of an injunction is handled through the criminal courts, not the civil court that issued it. If you are the protected party and the injunction has been violated, you should contact law enforcement immediately. If you are the respondent and have been accused of a violation, you should consult with an attorney promptly, as a violation arrest can have consequences not only in the criminal proceeding but in any related family law matter as well.

A final domestic violence injunction is a civil court order, not a criminal conviction, and does not appear on a criminal background check in the same way a conviction would. However, final injunctions are entered into the Florida Protective Order Registry and the National Crime Information Center database, which means they are visible to law enforcement and may appear in certain background checks depending on the scope of the search. Additionally, a domestic violence injunction has consequences under federal law regarding the possession of firearms and ammunition, regardless of whether a criminal charge was ever filed. If you have questions about how an injunction may affect your specific circumstances, consulting with an attorney is strongly advisable.