In Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, domestic violence injunction (aka restraining orders) hearings are held on Wednesday mornings. There have been so many times that I have heard a Respondent agree with an injunction being placed against them. Why would you ever agree? The following is a list of what can happen if a restraining order is entered against you:
1.An injunction may require no contact, limited time-sharing with children, supervised time-sharing, the respondent to leave the residence, and/or pay support for minor children and/or petitioner.
2. The respondent is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
3. Current employment status or employment applications may be affected. For instance, if you are a teacher, the Department of Education may terminate the Respondent’s employment.
4. Professional licenses may be affected.
5. Entry into the military may be affected.
6. Admission to schools, colleges, and universities may be affected. This isn’t just admission to the Respondent’s school, but could also prohibit the Respondent from going to their own child’s school.
7. Violation of a final injunction may affect a resident alien’s application for citizenship, and may result in deportation if respondent is not a citizen.
8. Final injunctions are enforceable in all fifty states and all U.S. territories under the
Full Faith and Credit Clause.
9.Violation of a final injunction may result in arrest and charge of a first degree misdemeanor for each violation with a maximum sentence of one year under Florida law.
For all these reasons, never simply agree to a domestic violence injunction. And if you can afford counsel, do not go to court without one.