Tampa DVI Restraining Order Attorney
At the Law Firm of Chris Ragano, P.A., our family lawyers provide thorough, aggressive and timely representation to our clients in cases involving domestic violence injunctions (DVI restraining orders). We handle domestic violence cases for clients in Florida communities including Tampa, Clearwater and St. Petersburg from offices in downtown Tampa, just five minutes from the Hillsborough County Courthouse.
DVI restraining orders — use and abuse
A domestic violence restraining order can provide valuable protection to a person who is in danger of abuse at the hands of a member of the household, including sexual abuse, child abuse, stalking and battery. However, when a restraining order is used as a tool of retaliation by a vindictive family member, used to gain leverage during a bitter child custody battle or results from a hasty police action at the site of a domestic argument, it can tear a family apart and cause serious economic hardship for the alleged abuser.
If you have been served with a restraining order
If you have been served with a DVI restraining order, or have been accused of domestic assault, child abuse, sexual battery, kidnapping, false imprisonment or another form of abuse, it is extremely important that you consult with an attorney at the first opportunity.
The first rule to remember during the few days until your domestic violence hearing — do not violate the terms of the DVI restraining order. If you are under a no-contact order, even a phone call, text message or e-mail is a violation. Violating the restraining order will, in the judge's eyes, suggest that you do not respect the authority of the court, and will be seen as an example of dangerous and impulsive behavior.
As your attorneys we will work to assemble evidence that the allegations were false. Depending on your situation, we may arrange for you to begin anger management counseling before the hearing or negotiate with your accuser on your behalf.
Child abuse, gay domestic violence, spousal abuse
Florida domestic violence laws cover any relationship between household members or those who have had or currently have a romantic relationship. Thus, child abuse by a live-in boyfriend or uncle, abuse by a same-sex partner or jealous boyfriend, and spousal abuse all fall into the category of domestic violence. Restraining orders may be very specific — a sexual violence injunction (SVI), dating injunction (DI) or repeat injunction (RI) and no-contact order are among the most common.
If you are a victim of cyberstalking
Just as physical, sexual or emotional harassment or bodily harm constitutes domestic violence, cyberstalking — the use of e-mail, text messaging and postings on social Web sites such as MySpace and Facebook to intimidate or humiliate the receiver — qualifies the victim for a restraining order. This is a particularly difficult type of case, since the abuser may live in Tampa, Clearwater or St. Petersburg, but use Internet spoofing to make the messages appear to come from a location outside of Florida or from another person's e-mail.
Our lawyers have extensive experience in Internet law, and will work with experts to build a strong case, representing you in a petition for a restraining order that limits your abuser's use of the Internet to contact you or refer to you in a threatening or humiliating way.
Contact a lawyer at the Law Firm of Chris Ragano, P.A. today to learn more about how we can help you handle a domestic violence restraining order. Our offices are conveniently located in downtown Tampa, five minutes from the Hillsborough County Courthouse, and we serve clients in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater and throughout Florida. Enlist an ally who is dedicated to aggressively fighting for your rights.
