Attorney for Hearings on Petition for Protection Against Domestic Violence or Repeat Violence in Tampa and Plant City in Hillsborough County, FL

So you were just served with a Temporary Injunction for Protection Against Repeat Violence or Domestic Violence in Tampa or Plant City for Hillsborough County, FL?






This article discusses general information to help you spot the issues presented in many of these cases. However, in order to obtain advice about what you should do next you must contact an attorney to discuss the particular facts of your case.

The attorneys at the Sammis Law Firm provide free consultations to talk with anyone served with a temporary injunction for protection against repeat violence or domestic violence for Hillsborough County or the surrounding counties of Pasco, Pinellas, or Polk County, FL.

Leslie Sammis has more than ten years experience fighting domestic violence cases to protect her clients from the impact of false or exaggerated accusations. Call 813-250-0500 to talk directly with the attorney about the case. 

Last Updated on September 9, 2013

Judges for Restraining / Protective Order Hearings in Tampa

Currently, the hearings for the temporary injunctions for protection against repeat violence (or domestic violence) are heard in front of one of these three Circuit Court Judges for Hillsborough County, FL:

• The Honorable Frances M. Perrone, judge for repeat violence, dating, stalking or domestic violence injunction hearings in Division "G" in courtroom 302 in the Edgecomb Building at 800 East Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602.

• The Honorable Scott A. Farr, judge for for repeat violence, dating, stalking or domestic violence injunction hearings) at courtroom 303, Division "H" at 800 East Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602.

Judges for Restraining / Protective Order Hearings in Plant City, FL

• For cases in Plant City, the case will be assigned to Division "S" before The Honorable Art E. McNeil in courtroom 1 (for repeat violence, dating, stalking or domestic violence injunction hearings) in courtroom P-1 at the Plant City Courthouse at 302 North Michigan Avenue, Plant City, FL 33563.

• Cases in Plant City can also be assigned to Division "V" before The Honorable Dick Greco, Jr., in courtroom 2 at 301 North Michigan Ave., Plant City, FL 33563.

Consequences of a Domestic Violence or Repeat Violence Injunction

You should talk with an attorney about the possible consequences that can occur if the court finds a sufficient basis to issue a Temporary or Final Judgment of Injunction for Protection Against Repeat Violence or Domestic Violence. These consequences can include:

1. Not being able to return to a certain location including your home or place of business;
2. Not being able to see your children; 
3. Losing your right to possess a firearm or dangerous weapon while the injunction is in effect; and
4. Having the allegations in the petition and the fact that an injunction was granted show up in any basic background check for the rest of your life. 

Reasons to Request a Continuance so Your Attorney Can be Completely Prepared

The hearing is your one chance to present testimony from witnesses such as neighbors or police officers. It is also your one chance to provide the court with relevant documents that may show that the allegations against you are false or exaggerated.

In many of these cases the hearing is scheduled within a few days or a few weeks of when the petition for the injunction is served on the Respondent. Often this very short period of time is insufficient to be properly prepared for the hearing.

Your attorney may need to obtain police reports, subpoena witnesses to testify at the hearing, and locate documents such as prior legal filings between the parties, text messages, e-mail records, comments on Facebook or other social media profiles, and/or phone records.

Your attorney may also need additional time to subpoena the Petitioner (the one making the allegations of domestic violence or repeat violence) to testify at depositions. Your attorney can also find out what exhibits or witnesses the Petitioner intends to present at the hearing.

Depositions give your attorney an opportunity to question the petitioner under oath about the allegations prior to the actual hearing. In these cases in which your attorney needs additional time to be prepared for the hearing, your attorney can ask the court for a continuance after showing good cause for the request. 

Warning: Do not violate the letter or spirit of the temporary injunction. Do not contact the Petitioner in any way for any reason including text, phone calls, letters, flowers, or messages through a third party. Read the order carefully. Do not return to the home to retrieve your personal items without a police escort.


Obtaining Experienced Representation at an Injunction Hearing in Tampa or Plant City, FL

If you were served with an injunction for protection against domestic violence or repeat violence then contact an attorney to discuss the facts of your case. You may decide not to contest the injunction. However, if the allegations are false or exaggerated then you may decide to hire an attorney to represent you at the hearing. Our offices are located in downtown Tampa.

We represent Respondents at the hearings on petitions for an order of protection against repeat violence or domestic violence in Tampa and Plant City, FL.

Related domestic violence charges prosecuted in state court can include: domestic violence battery, assault, aggravated battery by strangulation, battery on a pregnant female, false imprisonment and interference with a 911 call.