Domestic Violence
For information about obtaining restraining Orders in Domestic Violence Click Here
For information and procedures on obtaining a Restraining Order, call the Domestic Violence Department at 954-831-5570 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
You may contact the Women in Distress hotline for counseling and shelter at 954-761-1133, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You may obtain a Domestic Violence restraining order against a spouse, ex-spouse, or blood relative residing in the same household or any other person you are, or were, residing with as if family. You may also obtain a Restraining Order against a person with whom you had a child, whether you are living together or not.
A Repeat Violence restraining order may be filed by individuals who are not family or household members. There must have been two (2) occurrences or acts of physical violence, and one (1) occurrence must have been in the last six (6) months. The Judge may require you to furnish the police reports as filed.
A Dating Violence restraining order may be filed by individuals who have or have had a continuing and significant relationship of a romantic or intimate nature. The dating relationship must have existed within the past 6 months.
A Stalking restraining order maybe filed against any individual, who maliciously and repeatedly follows, harasses and engages in a pattern of conduct composed of a series of acts over a period of time. This restraining order will not address exclusive use of residence/child time sharing or financial support.
A Sexual Violence restraining order may be filed for any one incident of sexual battery, lewd or lascivious act committed upon or in presence of a person younger than 16 years of age, luring or enticing a child, sexual performance by a child or any other forcible felony wherein a sexual act is committed or attempted.
For information about what to expect during a Domestic Violence Hearing, please refer to the following links below: