Overview

A Florida “Repeat Violence” injunction is a civil court order designed to stop a person (the respondent) from committing further violence or stalking against you (the petitioner) or your immediate family. Florida law defines repeat violence as two incidents of violence or stalking directed at you or an immediate family member, with at least one incident occurring within six months of filing. “Violence” is defined broadly to include assault, battery, sexual assault or battery, stalking or aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, and other criminal offenses resulting in physical injury or death. The process is standardized statewide: you file a verified petition using Florida Supreme Court–approved forms, a judge may issue a same-day temporary (ex parte) injunction if there is an immediate and present danger, the sheriff personally serves the respondent, and a full evidentiary hearing is held promptly (temporary orders generally last no more than 15 days unless continued for good cause). Filing is free; the clerk must provide simplified forms and clerical help, and law enforcement can enforce the order in any county. These protections apply regardless of whether you have a criminal case, and you do not need a lawyer to file.

Who Can Apply (and Practical Eligibility)

You can petition for a Repeat Violence injunction in the circuit court if you are the victim of repeat violence or the parent/guardian filing on behalf of a minor who lives at home. To qualify as repeat violence, you must allege two separate incidents of violence or stalking, and at least one must have happened in the last six months. You do not need to be related to the respondent, live together, or be dating; repeat violence is distinct from domestic or dating violence injunctions and is available when the relationship does not fit those categories. The petition is verified (signed under penalty of perjury) and should set out specific facts—dates, places, behaviors, injuries, threats, and any witnesses or police reports. The clerk is required to provide simplified forms and clerical assistance; there is no filing fee, and no bond can be required. If a temporary injunction is granted, the court schedules a full hearing and the order is effective statewide once served, with law enforcement authorized to arrest for violations.

Benefits of Understanding the Timeline

Knowing the sequence and deadlines is the difference between quick protection and weeks of avoidable risk. The process is event-driven: (1) you file a verified petition; (2) the judge reviews it the same day or next business day and may issue a temporary (ex parte) injunction if there is an “immediate and present danger”; (3) the sheriff or process server personally serves the respondent with the petition, notice of hearing, and any temporary order; (4) the court holds a full hearing before the temporary order expires (generally within 15 days unless continued); (5) if the petition is proven by competent, substantial evidence, the judge enters a final injunction for a fixed term or until modified/dissolved. By mapping your proof and logistics to those gates, you reduce continuances, missed service windows, and incomplete packets that can leave you unprotected. Filing is fee-free and clerk-assisted, but the strength of your petition—specific facts and timely incidents—drives whether you get immediate relief. Align your timeline with safety planning: bring photos, messages, call logs, medical notes, 911 CAD logs, and witness declarations to the hearing; arrange childcare and time off for the hearing; and plan safe service addresses if you need confidentiality.

Step 1: Decide the Correct Injunction Type and Confirm “Repeat Violence” Fits Your Facts

Choosing the correct injunction type is the single most strategic decision you make at the outset because it determines what elements you must prove, which statewide form you file, and how a judge frames your evidence. Florida provides several tracks: domestic violence, dating violence, sexual violence, stalking, and repeat violence. You select repeat violence when the respondent is not a family or household member covered by domestic violence, you are not in a qualifying romantic relationship that would trigger the dating violence statute, and your facts show two separate incidents of violence or stalking, with at least one inside the last six months. If your evidence shows primarily following, monitoring, cyberstalking, or harassing messages that create substantial emotional distress, the stalking injunction may be the tighter doctrinal fit. If the conduct is a single sexual offense with a law enforcement report or incarceration context, sexual violence may apply. Mislabeling does not doom protection, but it slows relief because the judge must reconcile your facts with the wrong legal yardstick. Getting type right means your petition is evaluated on the exact elements it pleads, and your requested remedies will match what the statute expects to authorize.

Start by mapping your facts to the elements in a simple grid you can reference at hearing: date, place, act, injury or threat, witnesses, documentation, and whether the event falls within six months. The two incidents must be discrete events, not one episode told in two ways. Describe actions and words, not conclusions. For violence, explain unwanted touching, striking, or credible threats with apparent ability to carry them out. For stalking, show repeated conduct, the willful and malicious nature, the harassing pattern, and the effect on your day to day life. Quote exact statements when possible and capture screenshots with timestamps and sender metadata visible. If a child or an immediate family member was targeted, note that as well, because repeat violence covers such conduct directed at your family. The six month requirement is strict; if your second incident is older, consider stalking or domestic categories if applicable rather than trying to stretch dates.

Evaluate venue and service realities next. You may file in the county where you live, where the respondent lives, or where an incident occurred. Choose the venue most likely to achieve prompt personal service, because service is the hinge between paper protection and real enforcement. Provide multiple addresses, habitual locations, workplaces, and vehicle details. If the respondent is transient, include recent photos. Ask the clerk how service flows in that circuit, whether the sheriff begins attempts the same day for temporary orders, and how out of county packets are transmitted. If you need address confidentiality, complete the local confidentiality request form so your home address is not visible on public dockets. Decide in advance how the sheriff should contact you for updates without exposing private numbers or locations.

Draft the relief you will seek so the order is enforceable on day one. Request no contact, clear stay away distances for home, work, school, and daycare, and an explicit ban on third party contact, tagging, or indirect messages. If firearms are a concern, ask for a surrender term consistent with federal and state law and bring any proof of ownership you have observed. Where co location risks exist, propose practical logistics such as staggered work shifts, designated elevator etiquette, or neutral property exchange rules. Precision helps officers read your order at two in the morning and act without ambiguity. Overbroad or vague language invites disputes; specific terms travel well between agencies.

Finally, audit for misclassification risk before you sign. If you share a child, a home, or a marital tie, domestic violence may be required even if the conduct looks the same. If the relationship is recent and romantic, dating violence could govern. If you have only one event, stalking or sexual violence may be the better path depending on facts. The best filing is tightly scoped, correctly labeled, and grounded in recent, specific, corroborated facts. With the right type selected, your verified petition can credibly request temporary relief, and the court can set a final hearing quickly with terms matched to your lived reality.

Step 2: Collect Evidence and Draft a Fact-Rich, Verified Petition (Form 12.980(f))

Use the Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.980(f) to present a verified, fact rich account that allows a judge to grant relief swiftly and precisely. Verified means you sign under penalty of perjury, so your credibility is your most valuable asset; the more concrete and contemporaneous your details, the stronger the petition. Organize your narrative as a clean timeline: Incident One, Incident Two, any intervening contacts, and why you reasonably fear future violence. For each incident, capture date, start time, location, what the respondent did, the exact words spoken, your immediate reactions, any injuries, whether you contacted law enforcement, and how the event changed your routines. If you have pictures, export them with creation dates visible; if you have texts or social media messages, print them with sender names, handles, and timestamps visible on each page. Avoid editing that could invite accusations of manipulation. Keep original files on your phone or in a cloud folder you can access in court. Prepare three exhibit sets—court, you, respondent—and label pages for quick reference.

Write like a reporter. Replace conclusions with observable facts: instead of “he threatened me,” write “he said ‘I will find you after your shift and finish it,’ while standing two feet away with clenched fists.” Instead of “she harassed my child,” write “she waited by the school gate on March 2 at 3:10 p.m., pointed a phone camera at my daughter, and shouted ‘tell your mother she cannot hide,’ recorded in Exhibit 4.” Quote sparingly but precisely. Judges can read quickly when you present short, dated paragraphs that tie directly to elements. Remember the six month rule: make the recency obvious by leading with dates. If there are police incident numbers or medical visits, list them; attach summaries if available and bring originals to the hearing. Witnesses matter; include names and numbers, and ask cooperative witnesses to prepare short sworn statements in case they cannot attend.

Tailor your requested relief to the facts. In the checkboxes and narrative section, ask for no contact by any means, defined stay away distances for home, work, school, and daycare, and a ban on third party or social media contact, including tagging, mentions, or relayed messages. If the respondent owns or has access to firearms, ask for surrender accommodations authorized by law, and explain how you know about the weapons. If you anticipate unavoidable proximity (same apartment building, shared workplace), propose practical logistics to prevent incidental contact from escalating. The court can tailor terms as necessary for protection, and precise requests help the judge write an order law enforcement can enforce at a glance.

Before filing, scrutinize accuracy. Check names, spellings, birthdates, addresses, and vehicle plates. Remove hyperbole and keep adjectives to a minimum; facts persuade better than rhetoric. If you need a confidential address, complete your circuit’s confidentiality form so your residence is withheld from public view. If you have sensitive exhibits the judge should see ex parte, ask the clerk whether sealed attachments are accepted; bring printed copies for the hearing regardless. Finally, sign in front of a deputy clerk or notary as required. A clean, specific, and recent petition is your best chance at a same day temporary injunction and a well framed final hearing that focuses on safety rather than side issues. Include a short cover sheet titled Evidence Map listing each exhibit with a one line purpose, such as “Exhibit 7: screenshots of August 15 threats, establishes immediate and present danger.” Number exhibits clearly and reference them in your narrative by label so the judge never has to guess what document supports which fact. For digital evidence, preserve originals by exporting full threads, capturing URLs, and backing up to cloud storage; avoid cropping away metadata. If you recorded voicemail or video, note recording dates and devices used. Finally, read the verification warning at the end of the form slowly before you sign; perjury penalties apply, and careful truthfulness increases both your credibility and your safety.

Step 3: File at the Clerk’s Office (No Fee), Request Ex Parte Relief, and Get a Hearing Date

File your completed petition at the circuit court clerk in the county where you live, where the respondent lives, or where an incident occurred. These cases are fee free by statute, and clerks must provide simplified forms and clerical assistance to self represented petitioners. Many courthouses maintain an injunction intake window with direct access to a judge for same day review. Bring government identification, your organized exhibit sets, and contact information the court can use without exposing you to risk. When you file, ask the clerk for the earliest possible judicial review and for confirmation that the packet will be routed to the sheriff for personal service if a temporary order issues. If you need accommodations such as remote appearance, interpreters, or disability access, make the request at the counter so scheduling reflects your needs before a hearing date is set.

Expect the judge to review your verified petition the same day or the next business day. If your narrative demonstrates immediate and present danger, the court may grant a temporary ex parte injunction that takes effect upon personal service. Temporary orders generally last no more than fifteen days and must be paired with a prompt final hearing date. Read the temporary order carefully: it should specify no contact terms, stay away distances, protected locations, and any firearms provisions the court deems necessary. If something material is missing—such as your new workplace starting next week—return to the clerk immediately to request clarification or amendment so enforcement is clean. If the court declines ex parte relief, do not interpret that as defeat; many judges prefer to decide after live testimony. You will still receive a near term hearing date and a service packet for the respondent.

Service logistics make or break the next two weeks. Confirm with the clerk exactly who transmits the packet to the proper sheriff, how quickly attempts begin, and how you will receive updates. Offer every plausible address for the respondent—home, work, family residences, usual hangouts—and note access details such as gated entries, dogs, or security desks. If the respondent is out of county or out of state, ask whether the clerk forwards directly to the other agency or whether you must deliver the paperwork yourself. Keep a courteous call log with the serving agency so you can document diligent efforts if a continuance becomes necessary to prevent a protection gap.

Before you leave the courthouse, organize your calendar. Write the hearing date, the temporary order’s expiration, and a check in date to call the sheriff about service progress. Ask whether your circuit offers remote appearance for the final hearing; if so, obtain the procedure and any deadlines for submitting exhibits electronically. Clarify how the court will handle confidential addresses on mailed notices. If the order contains a firearms surrender term, ask the clerk or victim services how compliance is documented and whether you can be notified when surrender occurs. Arrange childcare and time off work now so scheduling surprises do not jeopardize your ability to appear.

Finally, leave with the right papers in hand. Obtain stamped copies of your petition, any temporary order, and the notice of hearing. Ask for two or three certified copies if the order was granted so you can provide one to employers or schools and keep one with you. Verify the respondent’s name spelling and identifiers on every page. If you discover an error later, return promptly for correction; small clerical mistakes can complicate service and enforcement. From this point forward, your focus is simple: accelerate personal service, prepare exhibits, and arrive at the hearing ready to present two qualifying incidents tied tightly to statutory language. Clean filing, clean service, and clean presentation are the fastest path from petition to enforceable protection.

Step 4: Arrange Prompt Personal Service and Track the Clock to the Hearing

Once the clerk has accepted your petition and the court has scheduled a hearing (and possibly issued a temporary ex parte injunction), the next determinant of real-world safety is personal service. A temporary order only becomes enforceable against the respondent after they are personally served with the petition, the notice of hearing, and any ex parte order. Until that moment, you essentially have a paper shield; after service, you have a legally binding command with arrest consequences for violations. Florida practice routes service primarily through the county sheriff, and many circuits automatically transmit the packet to the proper agency as soon as a temporary order is signed. Still, do not assume anything. Before leaving the clerk’s counter, confirm who is responsible for sending the packet, how quickly attempts begin, whether out-of-county or out-of-state transmissions are automatic, and what phone number or portal you can use to check status. Ask whether weekend or evening attempts occur for temporary orders; many sheriff’s offices prioritize injunction packets, but bandwidth varies.

Your job is to make service straightforward. Provide every plausible service location with as much detail as you can: home address, workplace, typical shift hours, vehicle make/model/color and plate, gyms or coffee shops the respondent frequents, and the residences of close relatives where they are often present. If the respondent passes security gates or doormen, explain access procedures and leave gate codes only if doing so does not compromise your safety. If you have a recent photo, ask whether you may provide it to assist the deputy. If the respondent is transient, give last-seen cross-streets and describe distinctive clothing, tattoos, or accessories. Every practical breadcrumb increases the odds that service happens on the first attempt instead of the fourth.

Time management matters. Most temporary injunctions are set for a duration not exceeding fifteen days, and the court schedules the final hearing within that window. If service does not occur promptly, you risk showing up to a hearing the respondent has not been notified about, forcing a continuance. That is not a failure—courts regularly continue hearings to preserve due process—but it extends uncertainty. To avoid gaps, maintain a service log: date and time of each call with the sheriff, the name of the person you spoke with, what they reported (attempted/door tag left/no answer/moved), and any new information you supplied. If days pass with no service despite diligent efforts, bring your log to the hearing and ask for a short continuance and an extension of the temporary order. Judges commonly grant both so that you remain protected while the sheriff continues attempts. Be specific: “Your Honor, service attempted 9/12, 9/14, 9/16 at home and 9/17 at work; respondent appears to have switched to night shift; requesting continuance two weeks and extension of temporary order.”

Meanwhile, prepare as if service will happen today. Organize your evidence and witnesses during the waiting period so you are not scrambling if the deputy effects service on the eve of the hearing. Create three labeled exhibit sets (Court, Petitioner, Respondent). Number pages, add short captions (e.g., “Ex. 3 – Aug 15 threats, 7:41–7:49 a.m.”), and ensure timestamps and sender/recipient indicators are visible. If you intend to request remote testimony for a witness, email the judicial assistant early to learn the procedure and lead times for permission. If you work in a sensitive environment (e.g., a hospital or school), coordinate with your employer’s security team now so that if the respondent appears post-service, reception knows to call law enforcement and can articulate the order’s radius and no-contact terms.

Update your safety plan to reflect the transition period between filing and service. The moment the respondent learns about the case is often the riskiest. Vary your routes, park in well-lit areas, and keep your phone charged with emergency numbers pinned. If the temporary order contains firearms or weapon provisions, ask victim services how surrenders are documented in your circuit and whether you will be notified when compliance is confirmed. Avoid direct engagement—no warning texts, no “we need to talk” outreach. Let law enforcement deliver the message via service and let the court speak through orders. If you receive any communication or drive-bys before service, document the behavior, but do not respond; your restraint strengthens both credibility and enforcement later.

Finally, track the clock. Write down three dates on the first page of your binder: filing date, temporary order expiration date, and hearing date. Set reminders two and five days before expiration to check service status. If service occurs but you now need time to organize or to obtain a critical witness, be prepared to ask the court for a short continuance in open court, specifically citing the service date and the tasks you must complete to ensure a focused evidentiary presentation. Courts appreciate disciplined, fact-based requests that respect due process while keeping safety central. With a proactive approach—rich location data for the sheriff, meticulous logging, and a ready evidence package—you convert the fragile days after filing into a controlled march toward an enforceable final order.

Step 5: Prepare for the Final Hearing—Evidence, Testimony, and What the Judge Must Find

Your final hearing is a focused, fact-finding session. The judge will determine whether your evidence establishes two qualifying incidents of violence or stalking (with one incident within the last six months) and whether an injunction is necessary for protection going forward. That means your preparation should revolve around three pillars: (1) a clean narrative aligned with statutory elements, (2) well-organized, admissible exhibits that corroborate your testimony, and (3) a precise list of requested terms so the written order is enforceable without ambiguity. Approach this like shipping a critical release to production: define acceptance criteria, stage the artifacts, and rehearse the demo.

Start with a hearing outline you can hold in your hand. Page 1: case caption, your contact-safe phone/email, and a bullet list of requested relief (no contact, distances for home/work/school/daycare, prohibition on third-party contact, weapon terms, any carve-outs such as one-time property pickup with law enforcement). Page 2: a succinct narrative—who you are, your non-domestic relationship to respondent, and the why of your petition. Pages 3–4: Incident #1 and Incident #2, each with date, time, location, exactly what happened, what was said (quoted), and immediate aftermath (injury, 911 call, witness, missed work). Page 5: any additional episodes that bolster the reasonable fear of future violence. Page 6: cross-examination notes—likely disputes and the exhibits that neutralize them. This outline disciplines your presentation and prevents digressions under stress.

Next, curate exhibits that increase reliability, not volume. Judges see walls of paper; what cuts through is clarity. For photos, include the creation date, context (“taken within an hour after the incident”), and, if possible, a short caption typed below the image. For texts or social media, print the full thread showing handles, dates, and times; avoid cropping metadata. If you exported messages to PDF, label the file and each page (“Ex. 7 p. 1/6”). For 911 records or police incident numbers, bring the call log or at least a written list with numbers and dates; if the officer cannot attend, your testimony still benefits from those anchors. For medical notes, a brief discharge summary showing date and chief complaint (“shoulder contusion”) is often enough. If a witness is available, prep them to speak only to what they personally saw or heard—no speculation, no character debates. If they cannot attend, a sworn statement may be considered depending on local practice; either way, use it to refresh your own memory.

Understand the legal standard. You are not proving a criminal charge beyond a reasonable doubt; you are offering competent, substantial evidence that two qualifying incidents occurred and that an injunction is necessary. “Violence” includes assault, battery, sexual offenses, kidnapping, and similar criminal conduct; stalking requires willful, malicious, and repeated harassment, following, or cyberstalking causing substantial emotional distress. Tie facts to elements out loud: “On April 3 at 8:12 p.m., respondent struck my left shoulder with a closed fist (battery). On August 15 at 7:40 a.m., respondent followed me from work to my apartment and threatened ‘I will finish it’ (stalking/assault).” Judges appreciate when litigants translate experience into statutory language without legal jargon.

Rehearse delivery. Read your outline aloud the night before. Practice referring to exhibits by label—“Petitioner’s Exhibit 4”—and passing them to the bailiff or sharing your screen if remote. Anticipate cross-examination. If the respondent is likely to claim the incidents were mutual arguments or that you continued contact, have your log ready to show no outbound messages and to highlight the respondent’s initiation. If they will suggest mistaken identity or time, lock your dates to artifacts (time-stamped photos, timesheets, transit logs). Keep answers concise; if a question misstates facts, say, “That’s not accurate; may I explain?” and wait for the judge’s permission.

Finally, script the requested order terms so you leave with an enforceable document. Specify distance radii (e.g., 500 feet) and list protected addresses explicitly. Include a prohibition on contact “by any means” including calls, texts, DMs, tagging, mentions, comments, and messages relayed through third parties. If firearms are a concern, ask for surrender and proof of compliance consistent with law. If you share a workplace or multi-unit building, propose logistics to reduce incidental contact (staggered start times, elevator etiquette, parking assignment constraints). Ask for a clear duration that matches the pattern—one year or longer is common where danger persists—with the ability to extend before expiration. At the end, request multiple certified copies before you leave. If the court declines to grant an injunction, respectfully ask for dismissal without prejudice to protect your ability to refile if new incidents occur. The hearing is your moment to convert disciplined preparation into durable safety; make it easy for the judge to say “granted” and to check the right boxes.

Step 6: Attend the Hearing, Secure a Clear Written Order, and Verify Every Term Before Leaving

Execution day is about discipline and details. Arrive early (or log in 10–15 minutes before a remote calendar), check in with the bailiff, and organize your binder for fast access: hearing outline on top, exhibit sets clipped and labeled, and a pen and notepad for real-time observations. Dress in a way that helps you feel composed. Silence your phone. If anxiety spikes, breathe in for four counts, hold for four, out for six; physiological calm supports credibility. Your immediate objectives are straightforward: (1) confirm service and procedural posture, (2) present a crisp, statute-aligned narrative anchored in exhibits, and (3) leave with a precise written order that law enforcement can enforce without interpretation.

When called, the judge will confirm appearances and may ask first about service. If the respondent has not been served despite diligent efforts, succinctly present your service log and request a continuance paired with an extension of the temporary order to avoid a protection gap. If service is valid, you will be sworn in. Use your outline: identify yourself, the respondent, and the non-domestic/non-dating relationship (as appropriate to repeat violence), then walk through Incident #1 and Incident #2 using short, dated paragraphs. For each incident, state where you were, what the respondent did, the words used (quoted), what you observed, and the immediate aftermath (injury, police call, missed work, witness). Move exhibits efficiently—“Your Honor, Petitioner’s Exhibit 3 is a screenshot thread from August 15, timestamps visible; may I approach?”—and pause while the court reviews. Keep your voice steady; the substance carries more weight than volume.

Expect cross-examination or the respondent’s testimony. Do not argue. If a question is confusing or misstates facts, say, “I don’t understand the question,” or “That’s not accurate; the incident occurred on April 3 at 8:12 p.m.; may I explain?” and wait for permission. Take notes while the respondent testifies; you will usually be allowed brief rebuttal. Use rebuttal to correct concrete inaccuracies with documentary anchors: “Respondent claims I texted first; Exhibit 7 shows no outbound messages from me in the two weeks surrounding the incident.” Avoid character debates or editorializing; return to dates, words, actions, and artifacts. Judges are tuned to credibility signals—consistency, specificity, and proportionate emotion.

If the court announces it will grant protection, shift immediately to order engineering. Read the draft form as the judge completes it or asks the clerk to prepare it. Verify that all protected addresses are listed and that distance radii are specified in feet. Ensure the no-contact clause covers calls, texts, email, DMs, tagging, comments, and messages relayed through third parties. Confirm whether the order prohibits the respondent from posting about you on social media, if relevant, and whether recording you within a specified distance is forbidden. If firearms surrender is ordered, ask how compliance will be verified and whether proof will be filed so you can request a copy. Where co-location is unavoidable (shared building or workplace), propose logistics like staggered shifts, distinct elevator banks, or parking levels to minimize incidental contact. If the judge uses general language, respectfully request specificity: “May we add my new workplace address effective Monday so security can act without doubt?”

Ask for a clear duration. Many courts choose one year, longer if the pattern is severe. Explain any upcoming transitions (moving, job change, school shift) that justify a term ensuring stability. Request multiple certified copies before you leave—one for you, one for your employer or school, and one for backup. Confirm with the clerk that the order will be transmitted to law enforcement databases the same day or within 24 hours, and ask what you should show officers if an incident occurs that evening. If the court denies relief, keep composure. Ask that the matter be dismissed without prejudice, and, if permitted, ask whether the court will retain your confidential address protections. Then, schedule time after court to debrief with a victim advocate about safety planning and next options should new incidents happen.

Before exiting the courthouse (or ending the remote session), read the final order line by line. Check the spelling of the respondent’s name and any identifiers; verify the list of protected locations; confirm distances; and make note of any exceptions (e.g., one-time property pickup with law enforcement escort on a specified date). If anything is incomplete or ambiguous, raise it immediately—clarity today prevents conflict tomorrow. Walk out with a legally tight, operationally clear order and a plan for distribution and enforcement. That is the difference between a theoretical victory and a practical one.

Step 7: Implement the Injunction Immediately—Safety Planning, Notifications, and Practical Logistics

A final injunction delivers its full value only when you operationalize it. Think in terms of people, places, and processes. First, notify the right people. Provide a certified copy of the order to your employer’s HR or security team, to campus/public safety if you are a student, and to administrators at your child’s school or daycare. Ask that your file include a note about the respondent’s name, photo (if permissible), and the stay-away distance so staff can act quickly. If your employer has a visitor management system or security desk, request that the respondent’s name be flagged with instructions to call law enforcement if they appear. If you live in an apartment complex or gated community, deliver a certified copy to management and the gatehouse, and ask for procedures aligned with the order (deny access; call police on sight). If you worship, volunteer, or routinely attend events in specific venues, consider providing a copy to organizers who can quietly strengthen access control.

Second, secure the places where you live and work. Walk your residence with a pragmatic eye: test locks, add inexpensive door and window alarms, replace weak bulbs near entries with brighter ones, and consider a peephole or camera visible from the street (consistent with local laws and lease terms). In multi-unit buildings, plan elevator and stair use to avoid blind corners. Map the order’s radius in feet around your home and workplace so you can explain it to responding officers; a simple printed map with a circle drawn to scale avoids confusion at 2 a.m. In workplaces with public lobbies, collaborate with reception on a quiet plan—a code phrase that signals security to move you to a safe room and call police without escalating the encounter. Share only what is necessary; you control your narrative.

Third, align your processes. For digital safety, review social media privacy settings, disable tagging by non-friends, turn off location sharing, and prune old posts that reveal routines or addresses. Create a dedicated email account for court and law enforcement communications so you do not miss key messages inside everyday clutter. Back up your evidence digitally: a cloud folder with two-factor authentication that holds your petition, orders, certified copy scans, incident logs, and exhibits. Keep naming conventions consistent (“2025-02-10_Final_Injunction.pdf”). If the respondent previously had access to any accounts (streaming, cloud, mobile plan portals), change passwords and audit linked devices; remove anything you do not recognize. Consider a password manager to create unique credentials for each account, and prefer authenticator-app 2FA over SMS where possible.

Build a compliance log starting on day one. You do not record silence; you record deviations: suspicious drive-bys, indirect messages through acquaintances, social media mentions, unexpected appearances near protected places. Log date, time, location, what happened, and any contemporaneous evidence (photos, screenshots). Ask for an incident number each time you call law enforcement; record officer names and badges. Do not engage or reply. The injunction is most defensible when you are consistent: you live your life, you keep records, and you let the system respond to violations. If you must exchange property or documents, request a one-time, law-enforcement-supervised pickup noted in the order; do not improvise private meetings.

If the order includes weapon restrictions, confirm with the sheriff’s office how surrender is documented and whether the file will reflect compliance. If your circuit provides victim advocates through the state attorney’s office, connect with them; they can explain enforcement pathways, remind you of court dates for any criminal case, and help coordinate on-the-ground safety planning. If you change jobs, schools, or homes, file updates as permitted by the court (especially if you use confidential address procedures) and refresh notifications to the people and places that need to know. Mark your calendar for a mid-cycle “order audit” four to six months in: verify that copies are current with HR and schools, that security teams still recognize the respondent’s name, and that your digital privacy settings remain tight after app updates.

Finally, support your personal recovery. Legal protection is a foundation; restoration is a process. Schedule counseling or a support group if anxiety spikes, even briefly; short interventions can rebuild confidence for future court appearances (such as extensions). Reclaim routines in small steps—coffee at a safe time in a familiar place, walks with a friend in a well-lit area, hobbies that reassert normalcy. Share milestones with your inner circle—“Order active through next August”—so they can quietly reinforce logistics (walking you to your car, sitting closer to entrances, checking in after late shifts). When life changes, adjust the order: add a new workplace, update school addresses, or request clarification to close loopholes you discover (for example, the respondent hovering across the street to film you). Implementation is not dramatic; it is disciplined. Done well, it converts a court form into everyday safety that lets you get back to being you.

Step 8: Enforce Violations—Call Law Enforcement First, Then Build a Court Record that Sticks

An injunction is a court command, not a suggestion. The moment the respondent violates any term — shows up within the stay-away distance, calls, texts, DMs, tags you online, asks third parties to relay messages, records you from nearby, or hovers at protected locations — treat it as an enforcement event. The correct first move is call law enforcement. Tell the dispatcher you have a current Florida repeat-violence injunction, provide your case number if available, the specific conduct you are witnessing, and your exact location. Use plain, concrete language: “The respondent named in my injunction is outside my workplace door, approximately 30 feet away, wearing a gray jacket, holding a phone and filming me.” When officers arrive, present a certified copy of the order (or a court-stamped digital copy if your circuit allows) and your ID. Officers can arrest on probable cause of a violation; your clarity helps them act decisively and safely.

Immediately after the scene is stabilized, begin evidence preservation. Save call logs and voicemails to the cloud; export text or social media threads to PDF with sender names, handles, dates, and timestamps visible; screen-record if a platform hides stamps when expanded. Photograph physical proximity from a safe vantage with landmarks (storefronts, street signs) that anchor distance. If property damage occurred, capture it from multiple angles and keep invoices for repair. Ask for the incident number and record the officers’ names and badge numbers; these anchors allow prosecutors and judges to find the report quickly. If witnesses observed the violation, request short factual statements (date, time, what they saw or heard, where they stood), plus contact details; if they’re reluctant, at least capture names and phone numbers so a prosecutor or the court can follow up later.

Parallel to police action, build a court-ready paper trail. Keep a running violation log with a simple schema: date, start/end time, location, conduct, exhibit references (photo #s, PDF filenames), incident #, and whether there was contact with law enforcement. Consistency matters more than eloquence. If violations are subtle but repeated — slow drive-bys, parking just outside the radius, tagging through burner accounts — your disciplined log, paired with dated screenshots and photographs, turns “feelings” into evidence. Organize artifacts in a “Violations” folder named YYYY-MM-DD_{type}_{short-description}.pdf so you can find materials under pressure. Consider printing a thin enforcement packet (5–10 pages) that summarizes key entries; bring it to any follow-up court date.

If local police respond but the pattern continues, consider court-based enforcement alongside criminal remedies. Many circuits allow you to file a sworn “Motion for Enforcement/Contempt” in the injunction case. Keep your motion short and surgical. Start with a two-paragraph overview (final order date; terms violated); then list each event as a bullet with date, conduct, exhibit citation, and incident number. Ask for precise relief tied to the problem: clarify that filming within 500 feet is prohibited, add your new workplace or daycare address, extend distances to cover a building’s lobby or parking structure, bar contact via named third parties, or prohibit tagging/mentions on specified platforms. Judges respond well to narrow, evidence-anchored requests that optimize enforcement rather than punish broadly. Bring two exhibit sets and a short witness list; if the prosecutor is pursuing a criminal charge, advise victim services so court calendars do not collide.

Avoid the “mutual contact trap”. Do not reply to baiting texts, apologies, or provocations; do not meet to “talk it out.” The injunction’s power rests partly on your consistency. If essential logistics (like a one-time property pickup) require interaction, seek a court-approved, law-enforcement-supervised carve-out with a specific date and location. When violations occur through third parties — friends, relatives, co-workers relaying messages — capture the message and identify the intermediary; most orders prohibit third-party contact and judges will close loopholes once shown. If harassment is primarily digital, document IP-tied channels where possible (email headers, platform IDs) and preserve original files; take care not to alter metadata with over-editing. For persistent online misconduct, request terms forbidding tagging, mentions, or indirect references designed to evade “no contact” language.

Finally, protect your welfare in the moment. Leave the area if safe to do so, alert security or trusted staff, and position yourself near cameras and witnesses. Do not pursue, confront, or record at close range if it increases risk; let officers gather proximity proof where possible. Keep your binder or a slim “go packet” ready: certified order, violation log, two or three recent exhibits, and key phone numbers. Enforcement is a team sport — you supply facts and artifacts; law enforcement supplies presence and authority; the court supplies tailored consequences. With that synergy, most patterns stop quickly. If they do not, your disciplined record will justify stronger terms, faster arrests, and, when appropriate, prosecution that creates durable deterrence.

Step 9: Modify, Extend, or Dissolve—Tune the Order as Life Changes While Protecting Continuity

Injunctions should evolve with your life. The law allows you to modify terms to fit new realities, extend the order before it expires, or dissolve it if safety permits. The strategy is proactive calendaring paired with concise, evidence-anchored requests. Start by calendaring your expiration date with two reminders — 90 days and 45 days out. Use the 90-day mark to conduct a mini-audit: review your violation log (even “near misses” matter), check whether protected addresses and distances are still accurate, and evaluate workplace or school changes. If your reasonable fear remains — because of the original pattern or intervening behavior — prepare an extension motion. Keep it short: a one-page declaration summarizing the original facts, a bullet list of post-order contacts or concerning sightings (with dates), and an explanation of why continued protection is necessary. Attach your log and 2–4 representative exhibits. File early so the court can set a hearing before expiration; this prevents coverage gaps.

Use modification when logistics, not overall danger level, have changed. Concrete examples: you moved homes, started a new job, your child enrolled in a different school, or you discovered a loophole (e.g., respondent filming from the sidewalk across your building’s entrance). Draft a targeted motion that identifies the problem precisely and proposes a narrow fix: add addresses; expand a distance to cover a lobby, garage level, or school perimeter; prohibit recording within the radius; or forbid contact via named intermediaries. Include a map or photo if it helps the judge visualize the blind spot. Courts balance safety with due process; they prefer requests that solve specific enforcement pain points without overreaching. When granted, pick up new certified copies and immediately update employers, schools, property managers, and security desks; mark outdated orders “superseded” so no one relies on stale terms.

Consider coordination with related cases. If there is a parallel criminal case for an injunction violation, brief the prosecutor on your planned extension or modification so terms align with bond conditions and no-contact orders. If you pursue a civil claim (property damage, tort), ask the civil clerk for procedures to avoid hallway proximity — staggered appearance times, separate waiting rooms — and make sure your injunction’s stay-away terms apply to the courthouse itself where appropriate. When scheduling depositions or mediations, request remote participation or neutral locations consistent with your order.

Dissolution should be deliberate and self-directed. If you wish to dissolve the injunction because the respondent has been compliant and you feel safe, file a brief motion and appear if the court sets a hearing. Judges will confirm that your choice is voluntary and not coerced. Consider intermediate steps first: shorten distances but keep no-contact; reduce duration with leave to extend if needed; add a carve-out for a narrowly tailored property exchange under law-enforcement supervision. Understand that dissolving today and refiling soon after can invite judicial skepticism (“what changed?”), so weigh timing carefully. If you are facing pressure from the respondent or mutual acquaintances to drop protection, document those messages; such pressure can support maintaining or extending the order.

Throughout changes, remember service and notice. Motions to modify, extend, or dissolve must be served on the respondent; ask the clerk about procedures and lead time so your hearing lands before expiration. Provide all viable addresses to avoid delays. Bring proposed orders to the hearing to accelerate entry of clean language. When you obtain a new order, cycle it through your notification network (HR/security, schools/daycare, property management) the same day. Finally, maintain continuity: if your order ends before an extension hearing because you filed too late, you may be forced to re-establish the entire case. Filing early preserves momentum, keeps protections continuous, and avoids relitigating history you already proved.

Step 10: Keep Long-Term Records, Protect Privacy, and Close the Loop with Recovery and Support

The final step is about durability — transforming a court win into a resilient personal safety system. Start with a records hub. Create a secure cloud folder (two-factor authentication enabled) containing your petition, temporary order, proof of service, final injunction, certified copy scans, violation log, photographs, screenshots, police incident numbers, prosecutor correspondence, and any motions/orders for modification or extension. Use a stable naming convention like YYYY-MM-DD_Description.pdf and mirror the most critical items to an encrypted USB stored in a separate location. Keep a one-page index (“Records Map”) listing key documents with file names and purposes; this lets an advocate, attorney, or HR contact help under pressure without rifling through dozens of files. Consider a paper binder with the most essential ten pages for quick hand-off to officers or security.

Next, harden privacy across the seams where information leaks. Audit social media: restrict who can tag or mention you, disable location history and live location sharing, and reduce public posts that reveal routines (gym check-ins, commute routes). Periodically search data brokers and people-finder sites for your name; many offer opt-outs you can batch through. If you move, use a P.O. Box or commercial mailbox for forward-facing mail and ask utilities to suppress your name on public lookups where possible. With children, coordinate school privacy flags and authorized pickup lists; deliver a fresh certified copy of the order to the registrar and meet staff so faces match names in a crisis.

Maintain digital hygiene. Use a password manager, unique passwords per site, and authenticator-app 2FA (preferably not SMS). Review “linked devices” on cloud accounts and remove anything unfamiliar. Audit shared services from past relationships (cloud storage, calendars, streaming, mobile family plans) and revoke access that could reveal location or private schedules. Keep software updated and consider separate profiles on shared computers. If the respondent previously had device access, consult a reputable technician to check for stalkerware or unauthorized configuration profiles; back up before wipes or resets.

At home and work, build predictable responses. Share a minimal “safety memo” with trusted colleagues: what to do, who to call, and where to move you if the respondent appears. Choose code phrases that trigger help discreetly. At home, consider low-cost window/door alarms and exterior lighting; post emergency numbers by exits. Map the order’s radius on a printed map so you can communicate distances to responding officers quickly. If you rely on rideshare or public transit, pre-select safe pickup points near cameras and staff. Carry a slim “go packet” — certified order, key contacts, and a recent photo of the respondent — in your bag.

Invest in recovery. Legal victories address danger; healing addresses impact. Short counseling, support groups, or victim-advocate check-ins can ease hypervigilance and improve courtroom poise for any future appearance (like an extension). Rebuild routines intentionally: safe coffee stops, daylight walks with a friend, hobbies that restore identity. Celebrate milestones quietly — “order renewed,” “six months incident-free” — and update your inner circle so they can assist without drama. If you notice anxiety spikes around anniversaries or court dates, schedule support proactively that week.

Finally, schedule an annual protection audit. Review expiration dates, confirm that employers and schools still have current certified copies (staff turnover is real), re-run your data-broker opt-outs, and skim your violation log for any weak signals that merit a modification. If the respondent has been compliant and absent from your life, keep systems in place but lighten touch — you control the dial. If they reappear digitally or physically, your records hub and habits let you pivot instantly: call law enforcement, capture artifacts, and, if necessary, return to court with a clean, comprehensive file. Step 10 is about agency: a standing order, a disciplined privacy posture, and a recovery plan that restores calm and continuity.

Typical Costs (Self-Represented, Court-Form–Driven)

Petitioners ordinarily pay $0 to file and to have the respondent served in Florida repeat-violence cases. Statute requires clerks to provide simplified forms and clerical help and prohibits filing fees for injunctions for protection; sheriffs handle personal service with cost mechanics between agencies, not the petitioner. Realistic out-of-pocket items are limited to practicalities: extra certified copies of the final order (a few dollars each), printing exhibits, and occasional notarization for supporting statements (often free at banks or libraries). If you later order a hearing transcript for a related matter, that vendor cost is separate. Post-judgment motions for enforcement or clarification in injunction cases are typically fee-free; confirm locally. If, before any temporary order, you privately hire a process server to find a difficult respondent, you pay that vendor — but in most cases, let the sheriff serve under the court’s standard workflow. Bottom line: the system is designed to remove financial barriers; expect minimal costs beyond copies and optional services you choose.

Time Required (From Filing to Final Order, and After)

Timelines are intentionally fast. After filing a verified petition, a judge usually reviews it the same day or next business day. If there is an immediate and present danger, the court may issue a temporary (ex parte) injunction. Temporary orders generally last no more than 15 days, and the court sets a final evidentiary hearing before expiration. With prompt service, many cases reach a final hearing within 1–2 weeks of filing. Hearing duration is often 15–45 minutes depending on exhibits and witnesses. If service lags despite diligence, courts commonly continue the hearing and extend the temporary order to avoid a protection gap. After a final order enters, clerks transmit to law enforcement databases typically within 24 hours, and you can obtain certified copies the same day. Modifications and extensions are usually set on short dockets; file extension requests 60–90 days before expiration to ensure continuity.

Limitations & Practical Cautions

• Injunction type must fit facts. Repeat violence requires two qualifying incidents, one within the last six months, directed at you or an immediate family member. If your relationship or conduct fits domestic, dating, sexual violence, or stalking more precisely, choose that path to avoid delays.
• Service before final hearing. Personal service on the respondent is required. Courts will extend temporary protection and continue hearings for diligent but unsuccessful service, but cannot enter a final order without notice.
• Temporary orders are short. Expect a 15-day limit absent good-cause continuance. Track the clock, press service proactively, and prepare exhibits immediately.
• Verification is serious. Your petition is signed under penalty of perjury. Stick to specific, observable facts; vague generalities weaken credibility.
• Clarity powers enforcement. Ask for explicit distances, protected addresses, and bans on third-party or social-media contact. Ambiguity invites disputes; precision enables swift police action.
• Firearms terms are tailored. Courts can include weapon restrictions consistent with law; bring factual basis (observed ownership, prior displays) to support surrender provisions.
• Civil standard, criminal teeth. The hearing uses a civil evidence standard, independent of any criminal case. Violations, however, can lead to arrest and prosecution.
• Continuity requires calendaring. Extensions and modifications are available; file early and keep stakeholders (HR, schools, property managers) updated with new certified copies.

Authoritative Links (Official Forms & Statutes)

• Florida Statutes §784.046 — Repeat, Dating, and Sexual Violence Injunctions
• Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.980(f) — Petition
• Florida Courts — Overview for Petitioners
• Florida Senate — §784.046 (current online text)