Overview

A Florida Repeat Violence Injunction is a civil protective order designed to stop ongoing harm from someone who is not your current or former family or household member and with whom you do not have a qualifying dating relationship. The statute governing this remedy—Florida Statutes §784.046—requires that you allege and ultimately prove two separate incidents of violence or stalking directed at you or your immediate family, with at least one incident occurring within six months of filing. “Violence” is defined broadly (assault, battery, sexual assault or battery, stalking or aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, and other criminal acts resulting in injury or death). The process is standardized statewide through Florida Supreme Court–approved forms. You file a verified petition, 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 prompt evidentiary hearing is held (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 statewide.

This guide focuses on the Form 12.980(f) track—from eligibility through evidence, filing, service, hearing, and post-order logistics—while occasionally distinguishing how the Domestic Violence track differs so you pick the correct remedy. You will learn how to test your facts against the statute, structure a fact-rich verified petition, coordinate fast personal service, present clean evidence at hearing, and translate a court ruling into everyday safety. You will also see how to document violations, seek tailored modifications, extend protection before it expires, and manage long-term privacy and recordkeeping. Above all, you will be reminded at each step that specificity and recency control outcomes: two discrete incidents, one within six months, described with dates, places, words, and corroboration. If your situation involves a qualifying domestic or dating relationship, or if your facts fit stalking better than repeat violence, you can pivot early to the correct form to avoid delay. The goal is practical: align your proof and logistics to the court’s decision gates so you move from petition to enforceable protection with minimal friction.

Who Can Apply

A Repeat Violence Injunction under Florida Statute §784.046 is available to anyone—adult or minor (through a parent or legal guardian)—who has been the victim of two separate incidents of violence or stalking, with at least one occurring within the last six months. The petitioner does not need to be related to, live with, or have a romantic relationship with the respondent. This distinguishes it from a Domestic Violence Injunction, which applies only to family or household members, and from a Dating Violence Injunction, which requires a continuing romantic or intimate relationship.

You qualify to apply if the violence was directed at you or an immediate family member living with you. For example, a parent can file on behalf of a child who has been repeatedly assaulted or stalked by a neighbor or classmate. The two incidents must be separate events, not parts of one continuous episode. Each must involve behavior that legally qualifies as “violence” or “stalking,” such as assault, battery, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or any criminal act causing injury or death. Petitioners do not need an attorney, and clerks are required to help with the forms at no cost. The filing process is intentionally accessible, allowing anyone to seek immediate protection without legal representation.

There is no residency restriction for respondents or petitioners as long as one qualifying act occurred in Florida or the respondent resides within the state. You can file in the county where you live, where the respondent lives, or where the violence occurred. Petitioners who fear disclosure of their address can request confidentiality under Florida’s Address Confidentiality Program or file a confidential address request with the clerk. The petition itself must be signed under oath, and false statements are punishable under §92.525. Ultimately, the standard for eligibility is straightforward: two independent acts of violence or stalking, one recent (within six months), directed at you or your family. If your situation meets that test, you have the right to file Form 12.980(f) and request immediate judicial protection.

Benefits of Understanding the Timeline

The timeline of a Repeat Violence Injunction proceeding is one of the most important practical advantages for victims—it is designed to provide fast and continuous protection. From the moment you file the verified petition, the process moves on an expedited track. A judge must review the petition the same day or by the next business day. If the allegations show an “immediate and present danger,” the judge may issue a temporary (ex parte) injunction immediately, even before the respondent is notified. That temporary order can include stay-away distances, no-contact provisions, and law enforcement enforcement authority. The order remains in effect until the full hearing, which must be scheduled within fifteen days unless extended for good cause.

Once the sheriff personally serves the respondent with the petition and temporary order, the protections become enforceable. The law mandates swift coordination between the clerk and the sheriff to minimize delays. Most petitioners appear in court for the final hearing within one to two weeks of filing. This rapid schedule protects victims from long waiting periods that could otherwise expose them to further harm. If service is delayed because the respondent cannot be located, the court may extend the temporary injunction to prevent a protection gap. Once served, any violation of the temporary or final injunction—such as approaching the petitioner, calling, or messaging—is an arrestable offense.

Understanding this timeline helps petitioners prepare strategically. It allows you to collect evidence, notify witnesses, and coordinate with the clerk and law enforcement efficiently. You know when to expect judicial review, when service should occur, and how soon you’ll appear in court. It also provides reassurance that protection is not an endless process—it unfolds in a structured sequence measured in days, not months. Knowing that a temporary injunction can issue the same day gives victims confidence to act decisively. In short, the Florida process prioritizes safety, clarity, and speed, ensuring that petitioners who meet the statutory requirements receive meaningful protection without delay.

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

Your first decision is classification. Florida offers parallel injunction tracks—Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Violence, Stalking, and Repeat Violence—because the law treats relationship context and pattern differently. Repeat Violence is the correct track when: (1) the respondent is not your spouse, former spouse, family or household member as defined in §741.28, and not a qualifying dating partner as defined in §784.046; and (2) there have been two separate incidents of “violence” or “stalking” directed at you or your immediate family, with at least one incident in the six months before filing. If you have only one qualifying incident, the repeat-violence elements are not met; consider the Stalking or Sexual Violence tracks where appropriate, or the Domestic Violence track if a qualifying relationship exists. Choosing correctly matters because judges evaluate your petition against the elements of the statute cited on your form, and misclassification can cause denial of temporary relief or require amendment and re-service.

Validate fit using a simple decision table you can reuse at hearing: create columns for Incident #, date/time, location, conduct category (battery/assault/stalking/etc.), exact words (quoted), actions observed, injuries/effects, any police/medical involvement with identifiers, witnesses, artifacts (photos, screenshots, call logs, video), and “within last 6 months?” Add a final column for “directed at me or immediate family?” and check the box clearly. The two incidents must be discrete episodes—not the same outburst described twice. If your evidence shows primarily repeated harassment, following, surveillance, or cyberstalking (messages, tagging, account creation), verify whether the Stalking injunction (Form 12.980(t)) is a tighter doctrinal match; for a single sexual offense with reporting/cooperation or incarceration triggers, review Sexual Violence (Form 12.980(j)). If you share a child, residence, or familial tie, or lived together as a family unit, the Domestic Violence track (Form 12.980(a)) likely governs even if the behavior otherwise resembles repeat violence—relationship category drives the form.

Think ahead about venue and enforceability. You can file in the county where you live, where the respondent lives, or where an incident occurred. Choose the venue that maximizes fast personal service—because service converts paper into power. Start building a “respondent profile” for the sheriff: full name and nicknames, date of birth if known, height/weight and distinguishing features, recent photo, employment location and shift hours, vehicles (make/model/color/plate), frequent hangouts (gym, coffee shop, relatives’ addresses), and access constraints (gate codes, security desks, dogs). If publishing your residential address would increase danger, ask the clerk for the confidential-address process referenced in many clerk packets or the Address Confidentiality Program. Decide what relief you will request so the eventual order is enforceable at midnight: “no contact by any means,” stay-away distances in feet from specific addresses (home, work, school/daycare, places of worship), no third-party contact, no tagging/mentions on social platforms, and, if supported by facts and law, firearms/ammunition restrictions with surrender language.

Finally, confirm the recency rule and the two-incident threshold. Courts will look for two distinct qualifying events and for at least one event within six months of filing. If your most recent incident is older than six months, a repeat-violence petition is vulnerable even if the behavior was serious; consider whether later interactions (threatening DMs, drive-bys) qualify as stalking to satisfy the elements—or move to the correct track. Do not try to “stretch” definitions with vague statements. Precision wins: dates, times, locations, quoted words, and artifacts. If you can satisfy those boxes cleanly, Repeat Violence is likely your most direct path to protection, and you can proceed with confidence to drafting a verified petition that reads like a concise incident log a judge can test against the statute in minutes.

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

Form 12.980(f) is your sworn narrative and the basis for any same-day temporary relief. Treat it like a technical specification: concise, complete, testable. The petition is verified—you sign under penalty of perjury—so accuracy is non-negotiable. Structure your facts in a way a judge can scan quickly: a short preface identifying you and the respondent; then discrete sections titled “Incident #1” and “Incident #2,” each with date, time, precise location, what the respondent did (observable acts), what was said (in quotes), proximity (in feet), injuries/effects, police/medical involvement with identifiers (CAD/incident numbers, visit summaries), witnesses (names and contact info), and attached artifacts (photos with creation timestamps, printed screenshots that show handles and time on each page, call logs, voicemail exports). If there were additional episodes (e.g., intervening texts, drive-bys, burner-account messages), include a brief “pattern” paragraph after the two core incidents to show continuing danger; do not rely on generalities—show frequency and impact.

Write like a reporter, not like a lawyer. Replace “respondent threatened me” with the verifiable: “On Aug 15 at 7:42 a.m., in front of 1200 Pine St., respondent said, ‘I’ll finish it after your shift,’ while following me to my car; Exhibit C shows the text thread from 7:41–7:49 a.m. that same morning.” Replace “harassing me often” with “three drive-bys on May 1 between 6:10–6:30 p.m.; I recorded license plate ABC-123 (Exhibit F photo).” Avoid adjectives that do not advance proof. Keep screenshots un-cropped so metadata is visible; provenance persuades. Prepare three exhibit sets—Court, Petitioner, Respondent—each tabbed and page-numbered (e.g., “Ex. C p. 2/5”). Make a one-page “Evidence Map” for yourself linking each exhibit to the statutory elements (“Ex. B → Incident #1 battery; Ex. C → stalking + recency”). You won’t file the map, but it sharpens your drafting.

Ask for precise relief in the petition. In the checkboxes and narrative fields, request (a) no contact “by any means” (calls, texts, email, DMs, tagging, mentions, comments, relayed messages); (b) stay-away distances in feet from home, work, school/daycare, places of worship, and any recurring locations (volunteer sites, gyms); (c) explicit listing of each protected address; (d) a prohibition on third-party contact; and (e) if warranted, a firearms/ammunition restriction with surrender and proof-of-compliance language consistent with law. If co-location is unavoidable (shared workplace or apartment complex), propose logistics now: staggered start times, separate parking levels, different elevator banks, neutral property pickup with law-enforcement standby. These details help convert broad relief into daily safety officers can apply without guesswork.

Proofread identifiers with care. Misspelled names and wrong addresses delay service and complicate enforcement. If you need address confidentiality, complete the clerk’s confidentiality form so your residence does not appear on public dockets or service packets. Keep digital originals of all evidence in a cloud folder with two-factor authentication; courts increasingly allow electronic exhibit pre-submission for remote hearings—having a clean source file speeds compliance. Finally, remember the two-incident and recency elements: if you cannot allege them truthfully, do not force the repeat-violence track; use the track that fits (e.g., Stalking) or gather additional corroboration before filing. A clear, recent, fact-specific petition is far likelier to yield a same-day temporary order and a streamlined final hearing.

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

Bring your completed packet to the circuit court clerk in the proper venue (where you live, where the respondent lives, or where an incident occurred). There is no filing fee. Clerks must provide simplified forms and basic assistance to self-represented petitioners. Many courthouses have a dedicated injunction intake window with immediate access to a duty judge. File in person if you can: the clerk can notarize your verification, check signatures, and route your file to a judge the same day. Provide safe contact information; if disclosure of your address increases risk, use the confidentiality procedure so your residence is suppressed from online dockets and service packets.

After filing, a judge reviews your verified petition—often within hours. The review is paper-based: the judge will test your allegations against the elements (two incidents; one within six months; conduct qualifying as violence or stalking; immediate and present danger for ex parte relief). If the standard is met, the judge issues a Temporary (Ex Parte) Injunction, typically effective upon personal service and set to expire on or before the full hearing date (usually within 15 days). If the judge declines ex parte relief but finds that a hearing is appropriate, you will still receive a prompt hearing date. In either case, the clerk generates the documents for service: your petition, any temporary order, and the notice of hearing.

Before you leave, read any temporary order line by line. Verify that protected addresses are correct and specifically listed; that stay-away distances are expressed in feet; that “no contact by any means” covers calls, texts, email, DMs, tagging, mentions, comments, and messages via third parties; that social-media conduct is included; and that any firearms term is clearly stated with surrender and proof-of-compliance instructions. If a critical location (new job site, daycare, recurring volunteer site) is missing, ask the clerk about submitting a short amended page or bringing the omission to the court’s attention promptly so officers have unambiguous language to enforce.

Turn immediately to service coordination. Ask the clerk which sheriff’s office will serve the packet and how quickly attempts begin. Provide every viable address and schedule window for the respondent (home, work with shift hours, common hangouts). If the respondent is out of county or state, confirm whether the clerk transmits automatically or whether you must deliver the packet. Start a polite service log: dates/times of calls, names of civil process staff, notes on attempts and outcomes. This log becomes evidence for extending a temporary order and continuing the hearing if the respondent evades service near the hearing date. If service occurs quickly and you are ready, begin assembling your hearing binder now; if service drags, your log demonstrates diligence and protects you from gaps.

Ask practical questions while you have the clerk: whether your division allows remote appearances, how to pre-submit electronic exhibits if permitted, how confidential-address rules interact with mailed notices, and where to obtain certified copies (carry one at all times). If your temporary order contains a weapons surrender provision, ask the clerk or victim services how proof of surrender is documented in your circuit and whether you can be notified upon filing. Step 3 is execution: a free filing, a rapid judicial review keyed to your specificity and recency, and a service plan that turns a paper order into protection the moment the respondent is personally served—setting you up for a focused, efficient final hearing.

Step 6: Prepare Evidence, Witnesses, and Your Hearing Script (Turning Facts into Proof)

Your petition gets you in the door; your evidence wins the hearing. Step 6 is the conversion phase: transforming lived events into courtroom-ready proof that cleanly satisfies the statutory elements for a Repeat Violence injunction—two separate qualifying incidents directed at you or an immediate family member, with at least one within six months, and the need for continued protection. Start with a one-page timeline spanning the last 12–18 months. Create rows for each relevant date and columns for: “Time/Place,” “What Respondent Did (observable acts),” “Exact Words (quoted),” “Distance/Proximity,” “Witness(es),” “Artifacts (where to find),” and “Impact/Response (911 call, medical visit, missed work).” This sheet is your map; it becomes your outline when nervousness spikes. The court wants specificity, not adjectives—dates, places, quotes, screenshots, photos, and report numbers that a deputy or clerk can verify without interpretation.

Build three identical exhibit sets—Court, You, Respondent—each tabbed and paginated: “Exhibit A-1 to A-5 (Incident #1 texts), Exhibit B (Incident #1 photo of bruise with EXIF timestamp), Exhibit C (CAD/incident # logs), Exhibit D-1 to D-3 (Incident #2 workplace CCTV stills), Exhibit E (HR email noting escort request), Exhibit F (neighbors’ sworn statements).” Print screenshots un-cropped so the platform handle, phone number, and visible timestamp are on the page. Where a platform hides timestamps, use screen recordings that scroll the thread slowly while the clock is visible, then export stills. For audio (voicemails), provide a short transcript with the file saved to a labeled USB and printed QR link if your circuit allows; always include a printed summary because technology sometimes falters. Photos should indicate creation time; if EXIF data isn’t visible, write a short affidavit describing when and how the photo was taken.

Identify witnesses early: neighbors, co-workers, security guards, responding officers, building managers, school staff. Call or meet them, explain the hearing date, and confirm what they personally saw or heard. Draft tight direct-examination questions you can deliver in 2–4 minutes per witness: “Where were you? What did you see? What did you hear the respondent say? How did the petitioner react? What time was it? How do you know the time?” Avoid hearsay; keep them on first-hand observations. If a witness cannot attend, ask the clerk how your division handles sworn statements or remote testimony; live testimony is strongest, but some courts permit notarized declarations as corroboration. For workplace witnesses who are reluctant, a neutrally worded subpoena can secure attendance—ask the clerk about timelines so service is timely.

Write a simple, assertive hearing script. It should be no more than two pages, large font, double spaced, with clear headings: “Introduction,” “Incident #1,” “Incident #2,” “Pattern/Recent Acts,” “Requested Relief.” In each incident section, use the same structure: When, Where, What Respondent Did (facts and quotes), What I Did, Exhibit, Witness. Example: “On Aug 15 at 7:42 a.m., outside 1200 Pine St., respondent followed me to my car and said, ‘I’ll finish it after your shift.’ See Exhibit C (texts 7:41–7:49 a.m.) and Exhibit D (garage camera stills). Ms. Patel (security) is here to testify.” Practice this script aloud twice; record yourself and trim filler words. The goal is calm, precise delivery that makes it easy for the judge to check the statutory boxes as you speak.

Anticipate defenses. Common ones include minimization (“it was a misunderstanding”), provocation (“they started it”), mutual combat, mistaken identity, or “not within six months.” For each, prepare one paragraph showing why the defense fails: the timestamped text that day, the doorbell video, the HR badge record, the neighbor’s corroborating view, the police call log. If there’s any ambiguity (e.g., an earlier incident lacked a police report), tighten the second incident’s corroboration so the overall pattern is undeniable. If your incidents are primarily stalking/cyberstalking, articulate repetition and impact: frequency, wake windows (e.g., 1:12 a.m. messages), account creation churn, missed shifts, route changes, and anxiety symptoms corroborated by a clinic note.

Finally, draft your requested terms precisely so the order is enforceable at 2 a.m.: (1) no contact “by any means,” including calls, texts, email, DMs, tagging/mentions/comments, and third-party relays; (2) stay-away distances in feet from named addresses (home, work, school/daycare, places of worship, volunteer site); (3) specific building logistics when co-located (different garage levels, no entry to lobby, separate elevator bank); (4) prohibition on recording/photographing you within the radius; and (5) if facts support it, firearms/ammunition prohibition with immediate surrender and proof-of-compliance instructions. Put these requests in your script’s final paragraph so you remember to ask crisply. Step 6 is disciplined preparation; when executed, it reduces hearing time, raises credibility, and aligns your record with the statute so the court can grant the protection you need.

Step 7: Present at the Final Hearing—Testify with Precision, Use Exhibits Well, and Lock in Tailored Relief

Hearing day is execution, not improvisation. Arrive early with your three exhibit binders, your script, and your witnesses. Dress in a way that helps you feel composed. When called, state your name for the record and confirm you are the petitioner. The judge will verify service on the respondent; if service failed despite diligence, respectfully request a brief continuance and extension of any temporary order, presenting your service log. If service is good, you’ll be sworn. Use your script. Lead with the most recent incident and move chronologically. For each incident, deliver the core facts in one clear paragraph, then physically (or via screen-share if permitted) present the exhibit: “Your Honor, Petitioner’s Exhibit C are the texts from 7:41–7:49 a.m. on Aug 15; the timestamps and phone numbers are visible. I move to admit Exhibit C.” Hand the court and respondent copies as directed. Avoid editorializing; let the artifacts and dates do the heavy lifting.

Expect questions. Judges often probe recency (“Which incident falls within six months?”), directionality (“Was this directed at you or your immediate family?”), and specificity (“Where exactly were you? How far apart were you?”). Answer concisely, anchored to exhibits: “The August 15 incident is within six months; see Exhibit D camera stills timestamped 07:43.” If the respondent cross-examines, keep answers short and addressed to the judge. If a question misstates facts, say, “Respectfully, that misstates my testimony; Exhibit C shows …” Do not argue from the lectern; your credibility is your advantage.

Call witnesses in a logical sequence—scene witnesses before corroborators (security/HR), then responders (officers). Use your prepared, open-ended questions. If opposing counsel objects, pause; let the judge rule; re-ask more narrowly if needed. Keep witnesses on personal observation, not rumor. If the respondent testifies, take notes on inconsistencies: times, locations, who else was there. Your short rebuttal should present one or two precise contradictions supported by documents (“He says he was out of town; Exhibit H shows his badge swiped into the garage at 7:31 a.m.”). Rebuttal is for accuracy, not rehashing.

When testimony ends, shift to relief. Judges appreciate clarity: “I request no contact of any kind; 500 feet from my home at [address], 300 feet from my workplace at [address], and 300 feet from [child’s school/daycare]. I request no tagging, mentions, or indirect contact through third parties; no recording or photographing me within those radii; and a firearms/ammunition prohibition with immediate surrender and proof of compliance.” If co-location is unavoidable (shared employer or building), propose operational terms (separate elevator bank, different parking level, staggered shifts). If the respondent has used specific loopholes (standing across the street to film; sending friends to message), name them and request narrow fixes. Precision now prevents friction later and gives law enforcement unambiguous instructions.

If the court announces a ruling granting relief, listen for three things: (1) explicit findings that two qualifying incidents occurred and one is within six months; (2) the duration of the order; and (3) the terms (distances, addresses, contact prohibitions, firearms). If anything is unclear or an address is missing, respectfully ask to clarify on the record: “Your Honor, may we add my new workplace address effective Monday?” Obtain certified copies before leaving; ask the clerk how quickly the order posts to statewide databases and whether the sheriff will serve the final order if the respondent is present. If relief is denied, request dismissal without prejudice so you may refile if new incidents occur, and ask the judge to keep any confidential address protections intact. Step 7 is about disciplined delivery: tight facts, visible timestamps, calm witness flow, and a precise ask—together, they maximize your likelihood of an order that protects you the moment you walk out the door.

Step 8: Implement the Order Immediately—Notify Stakeholders, Harden Spaces, and Establish a Violation Protocol

A signed order is only as protective as the systems you build around it. Begin with stakeholder notifications. Deliver certified copies (or clerk-stamped PDFs if your circuit accepts them) to your employer’s HR and security, your school or campus safety if you are a student, your child’s school/daycare, and your building management. Provide a brief one-page action memo summarizing the no-contact and stay-away distances, including specific addresses and a small map radius if helpful. Ask which staff members need to be trained or notified (reception, security desk, parking attendants). If the respondent is a customer or vendor, agree on a quiet response protocol (“If X appears, call security and use code phrase ‘Blue Binder’”). For apartments or condos, request front desk or gate staff to deny access consistent with the order and to call law enforcement upon attempted entry.

Harden spaces. Walk your home and workplace like a safety consultant: test locks, add door/window alarms, improve exterior lighting, and ensure cameras cover approaches without blind spots (consistent with lease and law). At work, ask to adjust parking to a more visible, staffed area and request escorts after dusk. Print a map marking the radius distances in feet around protected locations; keep one with your certified order. If co-located with the respondent (same employer or building), provide the operations team with your court-ordered logistics (separate elevators, staggered shifts, no entry to certain floors). These details prevent “accidental” proximity and make enforcement straightforward for security officers.

Establish a violation protocol and a disciplined log. Your protocol should be three steps: (1) move to safety and call 911; (2) show the certified order; (3) record the event. Your log entries should include date/time, location, what you observed, exact words, distance, witnesses, and supporting artifacts (photos, texts, caller IDs). Always request an incident number and note officer names and badge numbers. Save voicemails to the cloud; export message threads to PDF with visible timestamps and handles; take photos with landmarks (street signs) to show distance. If the respondent uses third parties to relay messages or tags you on social media, capture the account URLs and handles; indirect contact often violates the order when the message is directed to you.

Address digital safety immediately. Lock down social networks (no tagging by non-friends, restricted DMs, limited comment permissions), turn off location sharing, audit “trusted devices,” rotate passwords via a manager, and enable authenticator-app 2FA. If the respondent previously had device access, consider a professional sweep for stalkerware or rogue profiles. Maintain two email addresses: one for court/law enforcement and one for personal life, so important notices never get buried. If the order includes a firearms prohibition, ask the sheriff how surrender is documented in your circuit and whether you can be notified when compliance is recorded.

Finally, brief a small, trusted inner circle—neighbors, colleagues on your shift, a couple of friends—on the order, the radii, and your code word for help. Give them a copy of your violation protocol and ask them to call 911 if they observe breaches. Implementation is not about broadcasting; it is about focused preparedness so the entire system responds consistently if the respondent tests boundaries. Step 8 translates a judicial order into day-to-day safety through clear notifications, hardened spaces, tight digital hygiene, and a crisp, repeatable response plan.

Step 9: Enforce and Escalate—Document Violations, Leverage Law Enforcement, and Seek Court Backups

Enforcement is a loop with three actors: you (documentation), law enforcement (immediate response), and the court (sanctions and tailoring). If a violation occurs—presence within the radius, direct or indirect contact, filming you within the radius, or third-party relays—call 911 first. Say plainly, “I have a current Repeat Violence injunction; the respondent is violating it now,” and state the address. Present your certified order on arrival. Officers can arrest on probable cause of a violation; exact words and visible distances help them make that determination quickly. Stay focused on facts. After the immediate response, lock in the paper trail: request the incident number, write a dated entry in your log, and add any artifacts (photos, screenshots, call records).

For digital violations, preserve originals: export threads to PDF with visible metadata; capture usernames/handles and URLs; screen-record if the platform hides timestamps during scrolling. If the respondent creates burner accounts, include account creation date and pattern. For physical proximity violations (drive-bys, filming from across the street), take photos with context landmarks and note the distance estimate. If a bystander witnessed the event, ask for a short factual statement (who/what/where/when) and contact info. Precision and contemporaneity are your credibility multipliers.

When a pattern emerges—or a single event is egregious—file a Motion for Enforcement/Contempt in your injunction case. Keep it surgical: list each violation with date/time/location, one-sentence description, exhibit references, and incident numbers. Ask for tailored relief that solves observed abuse modes: expanding a radius to cover a lobby or parking level; prohibiting recording within the radius; forbidding contact via named intermediaries; adding specific addresses; or clarifying “no contact” to include tagging, mentions, comments, and social media relays. Judges respond well to narrow fixes anchored in documented reality; your detailed log plus police incident numbers typically meet the threshold for action.

Avoid mutual contact traps. Do not reply to baiting, apologies, or apparent “clarifications.” Any response can muddy criminal enforcement and be spun as consent. If logistics require one-time contact (rare), request a court-approved, law-enforcement-supervised carve-out with a precise date/time/place. If the respondent pressures friends or relatives to broker contact, treat those as potential violations; capture the names, numbers, and messages and add them to your log.

Coordinate with the state attorney if violations lead to criminal charges. Provide your best evidence packet and keep them informed of new incidents. If a weapons surrender term was ordered, ask the sheriff or prosecutor about compliance documentation. Remember: consistent documentation plus immediate reporting drives consistent enforcement. Step 9 turns breaches into consequences—and, where necessary, into refined court terms that remove ambiguity and deter future testing of your boundaries.

Step 10: Maintain, Modify, or Extend—Keep Protection Current as Life Changes

Injunctions are living tools. As your world shifts—new job, move, school changes, evolving respondent behavior—your order may need updates. Start with calendar discipline. Put the expiration date on your calendar with reminders at 90, 60, and 30 days. At the 90-day mark, run a quick audit: Have there been incidents, sightings, or indirect messages? Do current radii cover the new office, daycare, or parking structure? Do co-location logistics need tightening (elevator banks, loading docks, lobby)? Decide whether to extend or modify.

For extensions, file a Motion to Extend before expiration, citing ongoing reasonable fear and any documented post-order behavior—violations, sightings, indirect contact, or boundary testing. Attach a short affidavit and two to five representative exhibits; avoid dumping your entire binder unless asked. Courts often set extension hearings within two to three weeks. There is no hard cap on extensions; orders can be renewed when justified. For modifications, keep requests narrow and evidence-backed: add new protected addresses, expand a radius to cover a lobby or garage, forbid recording/photographing within the radius, list named intermediaries barred from relaying contact, or impose staggered shift logistics when you share an employer. Visuals help: include a simple floor plan or map with marked blind spots. Precision shows you’re balancing safety and due process.

If your risk has diminished substantially and you wish to end the order, you can move to dissolve. Proceed carefully: judges will confirm your choice is voluntary and informed. Consider intermediate options first—shorten duration, reduce distances, or keep no-contact while removing a seldom-used address. Keep in mind that dissolving and then returning shortly for new relief can raise questions; be prepared to explain what changed. If social or family pressure is driving the request, document those communications; coercion itself may justify continued relief.

Maintain a records hub for the long term: your petition, orders (temporary, final, modifications, extensions), incident log, police incident numbers, key exhibits, and correspondence with HR/schools/security. Store in a secure cloud folder with two-factor authentication and mirror critical items to an encrypted USB in a separate location. Review privacy quarterly: data-broker opt-outs, social media permissions, “trusted device” lists, and password rotations. If you move counties or states, remember that injunctions are enforceable nationwide under full faith and credit—bring a certified copy to local law enforcement and ensure the order is locatable in the databases used in your new area.

Finally, align the injunction with any related cases. If a criminal matter is pending for a violation, coordinate with the prosecutor before modifying terms so you don’t inadvertently undermine bond or no-contact provisions. For civil matters (e.g., small claims over damage), ask the clerk for procedures that minimize hallway proximity—staggered times, separate waiting rooms, or remote appearances. Step 10 is about continuity and fit: timely extensions prevent gaps; targeted modifications eliminate friction points; careful dissolutions reflect real, sustained safety. Keeping the order current with your life ensures the paper shield remains a practical shield—clear at 9 a.m. HR intake and enforceable at 2 a.m. on a dark street.

Associated Costs

Florida law ensures that individuals seeking protection under a Repeat Violence Injunction face no financial barriers. The filing of Form 12.980(f) is free—there are no clerk filing fees, service of process charges, or notary costs when done at the courthouse. Section 784.046(3)(a) mandates that clerks must provide the standardized petition forms, instructions, and clerical assistance at no cost to the petitioner. Similarly, the sheriff’s department must personally serve the respondent with the petition, temporary injunction (if issued), and notice of hearing without charging any service fees. The state reimburses these enforcement and service costs to ensure that every individual—regardless of income—can access protective relief.

However, there can be incidental costs for optional items. Petitioners often purchase additional certified copies of the injunction (around $2–$5 per copy) to distribute to employers, schools, or property managers. Printing photos, screenshots, or texts for exhibits can also cost a few dollars. If a petitioner needs copies of court transcripts or recorded hearings later for appeals or enforcement motions, those are paid privately to the court reporter. Witness subpoenas may require mileage reimbursement, though courts commonly waive it for indigent petitioners. Despite these small optional expenses, the injunction process remains one of the most accessible legal remedies in Florida—entirely free at the point of filing and effective statewide. For most people, the only investment required is time and thorough preparation of evidence, not money.

Time Required

The timeline for a Repeat Violence Injunction is intentionally expedited. Florida’s judiciary prioritizes safety in these cases, so most petitions move from filing to final hearing within two to three weeks. After submission, a judge reviews the verified petition the same day or by the next business day. If the allegations show immediate danger, a temporary injunction is issued at once—effective upon personal service to the respondent. Hearings are scheduled within fifteen days of the temporary order unless the court extends the timeframe for good cause, such as incomplete service. If the respondent evades service, the temporary order remains valid and enforceable until the next hearing date, preventing any lapse in protection.

The hearing itself typically takes 20–45 minutes, depending on the complexity of the incidents and number of witnesses. Most counties hold these hearings in a dedicated protective-order courtroom with a structured docket. Once the final order is granted, it becomes enforceable immediately and is entered into statewide databases (FCIC and NCIC) within 24 hours. Petitioners may request certified copies the same day. Extensions, modifications, or dissolutions are also handled promptly—usually within two weeks of filing. This accelerated judicial process stands in contrast to other civil matters that can take months or years. The short cycle reflects the statute’s intent: rapid relief for those facing repeated violence or harassment. Petitioners who prepare their evidence and witnesses in advance often complete the entire process—filing to final protection—in under two weeks.

Limitations and Key Considerations

Although the Repeat Violence Injunction is a powerful protective tool, it has clear statutory limitations. The most crucial element is the “two separate incidents” rule—if you cannot demonstrate two distinct acts of violence or stalking, your petition may be dismissed. The second requirement is recency: at least one of those incidents must have occurred within six months of filing. Acts outside that window may still be discussed for context but cannot independently justify the injunction. Judges interpret this rule strictly because the purpose is to address current, ongoing risk, not remote disputes. Another limitation is that the injunction covers only the specific respondent named in the petition; it does not automatically extend to the respondent’s family, friends, or associates unless they themselves commit qualifying acts.

The order’s duration is typically one year but can vary based on judicial discretion. It is not permanent unless extended. Petitioners must track expiration dates carefully; if the injunction lapses without renewal, protection ceases automatically. Additionally, while the order is enforceable across the state and recognized nationally under federal full faith and credit, enforcement outside Florida may require presentation of a certified copy to local law enforcement. The injunction is also civil—not criminal—so it does not impose fines or incarceration by itself, though violations of it are criminal offenses. Finally, misuse of the process—for revenge or harassment—can result in dismissal, sanctions, or perjury charges. The best approach is accuracy, honesty, and strict alignment with statutory definitions. The injunction exists to protect genuine victims of repeated violence or stalking—not to resolve personal conflicts or grievances.

Authoritative References

• Florida Statutes §784.046 — Injunction for Protection Against Repeat, Dating, or Sexual Violence
• Florida Family Law Form 12.980(f) — Petition for Injunction for Protection Against Repeat Violence
• Florida Courts: Overview for Petitioners
• Florida Senate – Full Statutory Text (2024 Edition)