This is the final post in a series of articles addressing protective orders in Melbourne, Florida. Living in fear of violence or harassment at the hand of another can be a terrifying experience. One may not know how to protect themselves from such behavior. Florida law provides a mechanism to quickly seek a protective order issued by the court to help deter the threatening activity. The goal of this series has been to provide guidance to victims about how to safely seek the protection of law enforcement. Another goal as been to explain the process by which a victim may obtain a temporary or extended protective order. If you or someone you love need assistance, contact our office today to speak to a lawyer.
We have reviewed the following points in this series:
- Filing for a temporary protective order (TPO) immediately after a threat
- The need to file for a TPO instead of engaging in self-help
- Presenting a TPO request to the court
- Ensuring one’s safety after a TPO is issued
When one’s safety is at risk, it is important to have an understanding of these issues for several reasons. First, it is important to act as quickly as possible to seek a protective order when one’s safety is threatened. The court will require evidence that there is a credible threat of danger before issuing a TPO. Waiting for a period of time before petitioning the court may indicate that the perceived danger or threat is not imminent and may impact the court’s willingness to issue the order. Second, unfortunately, may victims attempt to deal with the aggressor on their own. Engaging in self-help may create a more dangerous situation. It may also impact the court’s analysis about the effectiveness of granting an order of protection. Third, one should understand the legal process for seeking a temporary order and know what to expect at the subsequent hearing. Last, after an order has been obtained, it is essential that all parties, including the victim, comply with the court’s instructions to help ensure one’s safety.
If you are in imminent danger, contact the police immediately. Contact our office as soon as possible if you need assistance seeking a protective order. Our Melbourne attorneys are dedicated to providing the highest level of customer service to our clients. We also represent clients in the cities of Titusville, Cocoa, Palm Bay, Grant, Valkaria, and Rockledge, as well as in the Indian River County areas of Fellsmere, Sebastian, Vero Beach, Indian River Shores, and Orchid.