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Domestic Violence

Domestic violence affects people from all walks of life. It does not discriminate by age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status or sex. Yes, men are victims of domestic violence as well. Nobody deserves to be a victim of domestic abuse by ANY person, let alone those closest to that person. The only thing worse than a person being a victim of domestic violence is that person living in fear of seeking help to get out of that situation, and becoming a repeat victim of domestic abuse.

Under Florida law, “Domestic violence” means any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member by another family or household member. “Family or household member” means spouses, former spouses, persons related by blood or marriage, persons who are presently residing together as if a family or who have resided together in the past as if a family, and persons who are parents of a child in common regardless of whether they have been married. With the exception of persons who have a child in common, the family or household members must be currently residing or have in the past resided together in the same single dwelling unit.

Further, one can also seek relief through a petition for a restraining order against individuals outside of the class of individuals (family members and extended family as set forth above) who engage in repeat violence including when someone engages in:

Two incidents of violence or stalking directed against you or your immediate family member, provided that one of the two incidents of violence or stalking occurred within 6 months of the filing of the petition.

Although most commonly people think of domestic violence as actual physical abuse, it can also take other forms including sexual, psychological and emotional abuse. Each of these types of domestic abuse is equally reprehensible, but may require filing a different type of action than a petition for a restraining order to get help. The Law Office of Cindy S. Vova has represented numerous victims of domestic violence. We can offer cost-effective assistance in helping you file the initial petition for protection against domestic violence, and, if the situation calls for it, help you petition for a temporary restraining order. Once a temporary restraining order is entered, we provide effective representation in court to attempt to continue the injunction. Ms.Vova was a guest speaker in 2012 at the Miami Brides Walk, an event established to raise awareness of domestic violence. She also lectured on domestic violence for social workers and mental health professionals  at Barry University in Miami.

Notwithstanding that a restraining order is a necessary legal remedy for people victimized by domestic violence, unfortunately there are those that unscrupulously use the power of the Court to obtain a restraining order when one is not warranted. If you find yourself served with an unwarranted restraining order, call our office so we can discuss with you alternatives to the court entering a permanent restraining order or, failing same, we provide tenacious representation of your case in Court. Whether you are a victim of domestic violence or are accused of domestic violence, call our office at 954-316-3496, or email us at info@vovalaw.com to see how we can help you.