Domestic Violence/ Injunctions for Protection

NOTICE: If you require assistance with processing Injunctions for Protection Against Violence on non business days for the Clerk's Office (weekends, holidays), staff will be available to assist you during these times from 7AM until 10AM at the Edgecomb Courthouse, 800 E Twiggs St.

Regular business hours are from 8AM until 5PM. 

The Injunction for Protection Against Violence area of the Social Services Related Processing Center handles the filing of restraining orders (also known as Injunctions for Protection) against domestic violence, repeat violence, dating violence, sexual violence, and stalking. An injunction or restraining order is a court order signed by a judge that can be served and enforced by law enforcement. Please read our acknowledgment form (provided in English and Spanish) before filling out a petition. The document explains the process for obtaining an injunction and what to expect. Visit our Domestic Violence Filing Locations page for more information about filing in-person.

 

Violations of injunctions may result in a criminal offense.   The Misdemeanor / County Criminal Department handles the court case files involved with the resulting criminal charges.

 

Every year, the Clerk’s Office processes about 6,600 applications for restraining orders. Our clerks, along with employees of The Spring who have been deputized, process restraining order applications seven days a week, 365 days a year.

 

To ease the burden of this process, the Clerk’s Office now offers applicants the ability to register to view their court records online so they do not have to call our office or return to the courthouse to keep up with the progress of their applications.

Domestic Violence FAQs

How do I file an injunction for protection?

You (as the petitioner) may file a petition at the locations below.

 

  1. George Edgecomb Courthouse: 800 E. Twiggs St. Tampa, FL 33602
    Monday through Friday, 8 am – 5 pm, Saturdays, 7 am -10 am, and Holidays, 7 am-10 am
  2. Plant City Courthouse: 301 North Michigan Avenue, Plant City, Florida, 33563
    Monday through Friday, 8 am - 5 pm
Bring your state-issued photo identification along with the name, date of birth, description, and location of the person you are filing against (the respondent).
The necessary forms will be provided to you at the courthouse or are available to download online.

 

There is no fee required to file a Petition for Injunction for Protection for Domestic Violence, Repeat Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Violence or Stalking.

What types of injunctions for protection are available?
予期しないエラーが発生しました。

What do I need in order to file an injunction for protection?
In order to file for an injunction for protection, you will need to provide the following: 
  • Specific facts and circumstances, including dates, which convince the Court that an immediate and present danger of violence exists.
  • Respondent’s physical description, date of birth, and an address where they can be located.
  • Any previous or pending attempts you have made to obtain an Injunction for Protection, or any other cause of action currently pending between you and the respondent.
  • You will be required to sign under oath all of the paperwork you fill out.

 

An injunction for protection is a civil matter; all information and documents filed in the case are a matter of public record and are open for public inspection.
A copy of all the paperwork you file in your case will be served upon the respondent. Do not put any addresses or phone numbers within the paperwork that you do not want the other party to have.
If you are filing a domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking case, a Notice of Confidential Address form can be completed to keep your address confidential. Forms are available to download online.

What happens after I file a petition for protection?
予期しないエラーが発生しました。

Can I speak with the judge?
The court (the judge) may only communicate with the parties involved in a case during court hearings or through written documents filed in the court file.

Will an injunction for protection cover my children?
The type of petition filed and the judge’s ruling will determine if the children are covered by the injunction for protection.

After a judge has rendered a decision on the petition for protection, what happens next?
予期しないエラーが発生しました。

When will the respondent be served?

If the respondent resides in the state of Florida: The Clerk will furnish the necessary documents to the Sheriff of the county in Florida where the respondent resides or can be located. The Sheriff will serve the respondent during their regular working hours. Please allow adequate time for service as it may take several business days to complete service. You may visit hover.hillsclerk.com to review your case.

 

If the respondent resides outside of the State of Florida: The Clerk will provide the petitioner with the necessary copies to be sent to the appropriate law enforcement agency in the state the respondent resides.

Do I have to appear before the judge?
You must attend the court hearing. If you do not appear, your case could be dismissed.

What do I need to bring to the court hearing?
You should bring any witnesses and evidence in support of your petition for protection.

Where do I go to obtain information about a criminal domestic violence case?
Visit hover.hillsclerk.com to search for the case online or visit one of our locations.

How can I drop/dismiss an injunction for protection?
You must file a motion to voluntarily dismiss or dissolve the injunction for protection. The motion will be reviewed by the Judge and a decision made.  Forms are available to download online.

What should I do if the respondent violates the temporary or permanent injunction for protection?

If the respondent violates any conditions of the Temporary or Permanent Injunction for Protection, you should first consider requesting the immediate assistance of local law enforcement. If the respondent is not arrested, you may return to the Domestic Violence Section of the Clerk's Office for assistance in the preparation of an Affidavit of Violation of Injunction for Protection. This may be the only way a judge will be notified of the respondent's noncompliance.

 

Examples of violating a temporary or permanent injunction for protection may include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Intentional touch or strike
  • Contact in person, by phone or electronically
  • Nonpayment of child support

 

Forms are available for download online.

How do I view an injunction for protection court file?
Electronic viewing of many court records, including injunctions for protection, is currently available on our Hillsborough Online Viewing of Electronic Records (HOVER) site. If you are unable to view it online or you need a copy, you may view or pick up a copy of the file at any of our office locations. To allow adequate time for redaction processing, it may take four business days for the file to be available for on-site viewing and/or pick-up. The file may be viewed and ordered through our HOVER website.

Can I find out if there is an injunction for protection against me?
Please search our HOVER website for any cases that may be pending against you in Hillsborough County.

l've just been served with an injunction for protection. What should I do?
If you have been served with an injunction for protection, you should attend the court hearing and bring any witnesses and evidence regarding your case.