{"id":372610,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:55","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/florida-law\/florida-protective-orders-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-09-16T16:31:23","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T21:31:23","slug":"florida-protective-orders-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/florida-law\/florida-protective-orders-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Florida Protective Orders Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

Florida Protective Orders Laws<\/h1>\n\n
\n
\n By Kit Yona, M.A.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n

A protective order<\/span> in Florida<\/span> is a legal injunction issued by a court against an abuser to protect victims from abuse, harassment, or threats. These orders include injunctions against domestic violence<\/span>, repeat violence<\/span>, sexual violence<\/span>, dating violence<\/span>, and stalking.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Florida<\/span> has legal help in place for victims of abusive crimes. Restraining orders<\/span><\/a>, called injunctions for protection in the state, serve as a buffer between victims and abusers. In some instances, these court orders<\/span> also decide issues such as temporary child custody, spousal support, and who gets the family pets.<\/p>\n

With six different types of protective orders<\/span> available in Florida<\/span>, confusion over which one applies to your situation is understandable. This guide will examine each restraining order<\/span>, explain what they do and who they’re for<\/a>, and show you how to navigate Florida<\/span> courts<\/span> to get the one you need. Read on for a better understanding of Florida<\/span> protective orders<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Florida<\/span> Protective Orders<\/span> Laws: Injunctions<\/h2>\n

Five of the civil\u00a0protection orders<\/span>\u00a0available in\u00a0Florida<\/span>\u00a0are similar in how they work and the method for getting them. Let’s examine these injunctions first.<\/p>\n

Types of <\/span>Restraining Orders<\/span>\/Injunctions<\/h3>\n

Injunction for Protection Against <\/span>Domestic Violence<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Domestic violence<\/span><\/a> is a classification with specific requirements. Under Florida<\/span> law<\/span>, an offense is considered domestic violence<\/span> if people in certain close, personal relationships have qualifying abusive acts occur between them. If both elements aren’t present, the crime isn’t a domestic violence<\/span> offense in Florida<\/span>.<\/p>\n

The people involved in domestic violence<\/span> crimes are family members<\/span> and household members<\/span><\/a>. This includes the following participants and relationships:<\/p>\n