Domestic Violence / Injunction

Request assistance as early in the day as possible, preferably before 3 p.m., to allow sufficient time to complete paperwork and for the court to review your paperwork.

When filing a complaint, bring the following with you:

• Driver license or identification which includes your picture and signature.
• Specific dates of abuse or threats of abuse.
• Specific locations where abuse or threats occurred.

You should also be able to provide:

• Name of respondent (alleged abuser).
• Physical description of respondent, including height, weight, scars, date of birth, etc.
• Current residence address of respondent, including telephone number.
• Respondent's employer and employer's address and phone number, if possible.
• Respondent's vehicle information including make, model, color, year and tag number.

If the respondent is outside of Florida, you must provide the Clerk with the following information:

• Name, address and phone number of Sheriff's Department having jurisdiction over where respondent may be found
• Service fee for that jurisdiction to serve a Temporary Injunction; and if that jurisdiction will accept a personal check from Petitioner for payment of service.
• Petitioner will be responsible for payment of any sheriff service fees outside the State of Florida.

Domestic Violence forms and other motions may be downloaded online from the Florida Courts Website or obtained in person from the Clerk's Family Department.

In addition to the Petition for Injunction, you will need the file the following forms to finalize your filing.

• Declination of Final Hearing
• Sheriff’s Worksheet
• Civil Cover Sheet

If you would like to request your address to be made confidential, please follow the instructions provided and fill out the Notice of Confidential Address.

After you have filled out the forms for an Injunction, they will be submitted to the judge for review. You will need to return to our office later in the day to pick up the associated court order. A deputy clerk professional will give you a call at the number you provided as soon as the order has been signed. If you have any questions, please contact our office at 772-462-6910.

Dating violence (Florida Statutes 784) means violence between individuals who have or have had a continuing and significant relationship of a romantic or intimate nature. The existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on the consideration of all the following factors:

• A dating relationship must have existed within the past six months.
• The nature of the relationship must have been characterized by the expectation of affection or sexual involvement between the parties.
• The frequency and type of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship must have included that the persons have been involved over time and on a continuous basis during the course of the relationship.

Dating violence does not include violence in a casual acquaintanceship or violence between individuals who only have engaged in ordinary fraternization in a business or social context.

If you or a member of your immediate family is a victim of sexual violence, you may ask the court for a protective order (injunction) prohibiting further sexual violence. Sexual violence means any one incident of:

• Sexual battery as defined in Florida Statute 794
• A lewd and lascivious act, as defined in Florida Statute 800
• Luring or enticing a child, as described in Florida Statute 787
• Sexual performance by a child, as described in Florida Statute 827
• Any other forcible felony wherein a sexual act is committed or committed.

An order for protection may be requested regardless of whether or not any criminal charges based upon the incident were filed, reduced or dismissed by the State Attorney's office. One of the following factors must exist in order for you to qualify for a sexual violence injunction:

• The petitioner has reported the sexual violence to a law enforcement agency and is cooperating in any criminal proceeding against the respondent, regardless of whether or not criminal charges based upon the sexual violence have been filed, reduced or dismissed by the State Attorney's office.
• The respondent who committed the sexual violence against the victim or minor child was sentenced to a term of imprisonment in state prison for the sexual violence and the respondent's term of imprisonment has expired or is due to expire within 90 days following the date the Petition for Injunction for Protection Against Sexual Violence is filed.

If neither applies to your situation, you may still qualify for one of the other types of injunctions (domestic, repeat or dating).

What is the Hope Card Program? The Hope Card Program offers a digital or wallet-sized card that contains important information regarding final injunctions for protection against (Domestic violence, Stalking, Repeat violence, Sexual violence, Dating violence, Abuse or exploitation of an elderly person or disabled adult)

Benefits of the Hope Card

·         Immediate Verification: The Hope Card serves as an official, easily recognizable proof of a valid protective order. It allows law enforcement and other authorities to quickly verify the existence and details of the injunction, ensuring rapid response and enhanced protection.

·         Enhanced Safety: Having a Hope Card ensures that individuals can confidently demonstrate their protected status during interactions with law enforcement or other entities, reducing the risk of confusion or miscommunication.

·         Accessible Support: The card acts as a constant reminder of the legal protections in place and provides access to support resources, helping individuals navigate their safety plan effectively.

How to Obtain a Hope Card? If you have a final injunction for protection, you can easily obtain a Hope Card. Simply visit our office to pick up a physical copy or email for an electronic version. Your Hope Card will be issued within three (3) business days.

Please note that Hope Cards are valid for two years from the issuance date of a final order or until the expiration date of the injunction, whichever comes first.

We are excited to offer this program as part of our commitment to supporting the safety and well-being of our community. For further inquiries or assistance, please contact the St. Lucie County Clerk & Comptroller's office at (772) 462-6900 or visit stlucieclerk.gov.

• SafeSpace, 800-500-1119
• Daughters of Naomi, 772-467-2535
• St. Lucie Sheriff's Victim Services, 772-462-3617
  
  • Onsite in the Clerk's Office Family Division
  • St. Lucie Sheriff's Office
    4700 West Midway Road
    Fort Pierce, FL 34981