Domestic Violence

IF YOU ARE A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIM: 

• Call the police in an emergency or file a report about the violence.

• Call the domestic violence hotline in your county to talk, get information or ideas, find a shelter or make a safety or escape plan.

• Seek an Injunction.  An Injunction for Protection is a court order entered by a judge directing the respondent to refrain from any “…assault, aggravated assault, battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member by another who is/was residing in the same single dwelling unit”. (F.S., Section 741.28) .

In an injunction, the court can order:

• The respondent to have no direct or indirect contact with the petitioner.

• The respondent to stay 500 feet away from the petitioner’s home, school and place of employment.

• The respondent to turn over to law enforcement all firearms.

• The respondent to be evaluated and continue treatment for health concerns, substance abuse, anger management or batterer’s intervention program.

• Temporary custody, visitation and support.

File a petition for Injunction for Protection between 8:30am and 3:00pm at the Domestic Violence Division at:

Charlotte County Justice Center, 2nd Floor

 

350 E. Marion Avenue

 

Punta Gorda, FL   33950

 

(941) 637-2162  

 

(941) 637-2265

 

(941) 505-4761

 

Charlotte County Administration Building, 4th Floor

 

18500 Murdock Circle

 

Port Charlotte, FL 33948

 

(941) 743-1945

 

Charlotte County Clerk

 

Englewood Branch

 

4318 North Access Road

 

Englewood, FL 34224

 

(941) 474-7895

 

Collier County Courthouse

 

Building L - Sixth Floor  

 

3301 E. Tamiami Trail  

 

Naples, FL 34112

 

(239) 732-2760

 

Glades County Courthouse

 

500 Avenue J  

 

Moore Haven, FL  

 

(863) 946-6011

 

Hendry County Courthouse, Third Floor

 

Corner of Highway 80 and 29  

 

Labelle, FL  

 

(863) 675-5217

 

Lee County Justice Center

 

First Floor  

 

1700 Monroe Street  

 

Fort Myers, FL 33901  

 

(239) 335-2884

Gather any evidence you may need for your Injunction hearing.  Bring a timeline of the abuse, including dates, place and witnesses.  Also bring photographs, documentation of injuries, medical and/or police reports. 

• See your physician for injuries and consider having your doctor document the incident that caused the injuries.

• Talk to a friend, family member, neighbor or someone you know and trust.  Ask for help.

Should the defendant successfully complete the terms of his/her agreement with the State Attorney’s Office, the charges will not be further pursued.  However, if the defendant violates the agreement, we will proceed with criminal prosecution.

Further information concerning domestic violence is available from the State Attorney’s Office, or by contacting the agencies listed at the beginning of this section.

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