BROWARD COUNTY ADDS NEW LOCATION TO APPLY FOR RESTRAINING ORDERS
Fort Lauderdale, FL – In its continuing endeavor to expand public accessibility to the courts, the 17th Judicial Circuit began this month to accept petitions for restraining orders at its West satellite courthouse in Plantation. Before now, the Central Courthouse in downtown Fort Lauderdale was the only place Broward County residents could go to file. Plans to implement the process at the satellite courthouses in Deerfield Beach and Hollywood are in the works; however additional funding is necessary to make it happen.
Chief Judge Peter M. Weinstein explains, “Restraining orders or, injunctions against violence, cover dating violence, domestic violence, repeat violence, stalking, and sexual violence. The process of applying for an injunction will be slightly different in the West Satellite, as the Clerk’s office will assist with, and accept the petition, but will electronically file it to the Central Courthouse. Once a judge has received the court file, petitioners will receive a response within one (1) hour.” The Clerk of Courts’ operating hours for restraining orders in the West Satellite are 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.; the Central Courthouse hours are 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
In cooperation with Clerk of Courts Howard Forman, the Broward County Chiefs of Police Association, and City of Sunrise Mayor Michael Ryan, Administrative Order 2016-5-UFC was drafted, ordering the change, and signed by Judge Weinstein.
