So you went to court and fought a domestic violence injunction, but the Court found grounds to enter the injunction anyway. What does that mean for you and your rights? The following is a list of consequences that may be imposed upon you as a result of the injunction:
- May be ordered to complete a 26-week Batterer’s Intervention Program (BIP)
- Loss of concealed carry rights
- Inability to possess firearms and ammo per state and federal law
- Visitation with children may be limited to no contact, supervised timesharing, or other limitations
- Loss of freedom to go to certain public places
- Loss of employment or professional license
- Employment applications may be affected
- Entry into the military may be affected
- Admission to schools, colleges, and universities may be affected
- Inability to reside in your place of residence
- Forced to pay alimony and/or child support
- May be ordered to attend mental health counseling, a substance abuse program, or parenting classes
- Injunction may be granted indefinitely or expire on a certain date at the Judge’s discretion
- Injunction enforceable in all Florida counties
- Injunction enforceable in all 50 states and US territories under the Full Faith and Credit Clause
You may wonder what happens when you violate the injunction against you. The consequences can be severe. You may be the subject of civil or indirect criminal contempt proceedings. You may be convicted of a first-degree misdemeanor punishable of up to a $1,000 fine or up to one year in jail for EACH violation. Violations may include:
- Refusing to vacate the residence
- Going to or being within 500 feet of residence
- Going to petitioner’s place of employment, school, or another place prohibited in injunction
- Telephoning, contacting, or communicating with petitioner
- Intentionally coming within 100 feet of petitioner’s motor vehicle
- Defacing or destroying petitioner’s personal property
- Refusing to surrender firearms or ammunition
- Committing an act of domestic violence against petitioner
- If you cross state lines to engage in conduct prohibited by the injunction, you could be charged with a federal criminal felony offense punishable by up to life imprisonment
- It is a first-degree misdemeanor for respondent to have in his or her care, custody, possession or control any firearm or ammunition
- Violation may affect a resident alien’s application for citizenship and may result in deportation if respondent is not a citizen
Domestic violence injunctions can have serious consequences and you need a Jacksonville Domestic Violence Lawyer to assist you with the complexities of an injunction. Contact the Law Office of David M. Goldman, PLLC for a consultation.