If you live within Broward County Florida you would go to:

Family Court Services
Broward County Courthouse
201 S.E. 6th Street, Room 565
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Phone: (954) 831-7693

Between the hours of 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Monday - Friday

If you live outside the area or in another state you should find your local family court services listed in the white pages of your phone book under for example: Broward County Department of Family Services, Domestic Violence etc...or you may choose to call information in your local area.

What should I bring with me when applying for an injunction?

A picture I.D. of yourself.

An address where the Respondent (the person from whom you are seeking protection) can be served.

Any and all police reports or case numbers you may have to show cause for the order. You may obtain an order with out them as well. It is better to bring them along if you have them to ensure you will be able to obtain the order.

There is a fee for the restraining order. If you are asking that the fee be lowered or waived you must fill out a financial affidavit.

Please bring along with you any paper work showing your monthly income and expenses. Someone will help you fill out this paper work.

The judge will decide if the fees will be reduced or waived altogether depending upon each persons situation.

If you have children for which you can not make other arrangements and must bring them along be sure to bring with you extra formula and diapers (if said child is an infant), snacks, drinks and plenty of things to keep them occupied since the process can take any where from 3-5 hours.

What will happen when I get there?

You will first fill out the paper work with the guidance of the Family Court Services staff. After you have completed the paper work it will be checked over by a member of the Family Court Services Staff Attorney team and then you will be given instructions on how to go about and where to go to file the papers with the court.

A judge will review your request for the restraining order and your reasons for wanting it and make a decision while you are there at the courthouse. While waiting for the judges decision you may be asked to meet with a Case Manager, who will discuss safety planning, resources and court process.

When granted, the Restraining Order will become effective only once the Respondent is served with the paperwork by a Law Enforcement Officer. You may be asked to deliver the copy which is to be served to the Respondent to your local police department in order for them to serve him or the court sometimes will do this for you. You will need to check this in your own state since the laws vary from state to state.

Keep a copy of the Restraining Order with you at all times. Call the police anytime the Respondent should harass you, come to your home, place of work, or attempt to harm you in any way. Some orders specify that the Respondent shall not have any contact with you whether it be in person, via the phone, cell phone, beeper, computer, e mail or regular postal mail.

If the respondent violates the order call police immediately. The Respondent may be arrested and jailed for violating the Order.

For further information or to check the laws in your local area please contact the courthouse in your city or county.

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