Domestic Violence Injunctions During COVID-19

While many courthouse functions have been limited or restricted during the COVID-19 pandemic, the courts are still operating to handle domestic violence injunctions. In the unfortunate event that you become the victim of domestic violence or are in imminent danger of becoming the victim of domestic violence, you are still able to go to the courthouse to apply for an injunction for protection against domestic violence. When entering the courthouse, you should let the security officers know that you are there for a domestic violence injunction and they will direct you to the proper room to complete the paperwork.

The New York Times reports that domestic violence worldwide has been on the rise since the COVID-19 pandemic started. While statistics are not yet available, most experts attribute the increase in domestic violence simply to people being trapped in their homes during a stressful time. Further, domestic violence shelters and resources have been limited or shut down due to the risks to employees, staff, and members of the community.

The court system in Florida and Orange County continue to operate only for essential court proceedings. Domestic violence injunctions are designated as an essential court proceeding and will continue to operate for the foreseeable future. While courthouse staff and judges may take additional precautions to prevent the spread of the virus, they are still dedicated to timely holding injunction hearings and helping resolve these matters efficiently and expeditiously.

If you have any questions regarding domestic violence injunctions during the COVID-19 pandemic, please feel free to call our office at (407) 759-3397 . Our team is here to help you navigate difficult situations during these unprecedented times.

Further Reading:Orange County Florida Issues Timesharing Order for COVID-19 Shelter-in-Place
Custody and Timesharing Procedures during COVID-19 (Coronavirus)