Miami family law attorney blog
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Domestic Violence
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence
One of the important elements in pursuing a stalking injunction in Florida is to show that the complained-of behavior does not serve a legitimate purpose. This means to show that the person accused of stalking has no reason to follow someone or otherwise contact them. This was an issue in the case Smith v. Horta, 3D24-139 (Fla. 3d DCA October 2, 2024).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence
Appealing a Florida family law judgment requires more than just disliking the trial court’s decision - there has to be a legal basis for the appeal, such as the trial court failing to follow the law. As discussed in Zayon v. Valme, 3D23-1559 (Fla. 3d DCA September 18, 2024), an appellate court is reluctant to disturb a trial court’s ruling.
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence
What is an involuntary dismissal in a Florida family law case? This is what happens when the court dismisses a petition, rather than the party him or her self voluntarily dismissing or withdrawing the case. For example, a party can seek an involuntary dismissal by arguing to the court that the other party has not shown that he or she would ultimately prevail if there was a full trial. This was an issue in the case Schulmann v. Schulmann, 4D2023-1206 (Fla. 4th DCA September 4, 2024).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence
In Florida, “[t]o establish a showing of ‘stalking’ under the statutes, a petitioner must show evidence of ‘repeated acts’ of ‘following, harassment, or cyberstalking.’” Hoover v. Peak, 1D2023-2529 (Fla. 1st DCA August 7, 2024) (internal citations omitted). This recent appellate case analyzes a stalking injunction entered against a father who was attending his daughter’s school orientation.
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence
How important is it that a domestic violence injunction hearing be recorded? According to 741.30(6)(h), Florida Statutes (2023), “All proceedings under this subsection shall be recorded. Recording may be by electronic means as provided by the Rules of Judicial Administration.” This was an issue in the case Whalen v. Choquehuanca, 3D23-0518 (Fla. 3d June 26, 2024).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence
Notice of hearings on domestic violence injunctions in Florida are usually given approximately one to two weeks prior to the hearing date. This leaves little time for parties to rearrange schedules as necessary to appear at a hearing. What happens if a hearing goes forward even though one party files a motion for continuance? This was an issue in the case McPherson v. Samuel, 4D2023-2613 (Fla. 4th DCA July 24, 2024).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence
If a party urges another party to self-harm, does this entitle the victim to a domestic violence injunction in Florida? In a case in which a husband was accused of urging his wife to harm herself by placing weapons within her reach and suggesting that she use them on herself, this was an issue. The case is Thomas v. Li, 4D2023-1437 (Fla. 4th DCA July 17, 2024).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence
Can old incidents support a Florida domestic violence injunction? If alleged incidents of violence are too remote in time, a Florida domestic violence injunction might not be entered. This was an issue in the case Padilla v. Pickett, 4D2023-0939 (Fla. 4th DCA May 15, 2024).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence
While a stalking injunction in Florida can prohibit a person from contacting or going near another person. it has its limits as far as the First Amendment is concerned. When a stalking injunction limits what a person can post about another person, this may infringe on the poster’s right to free speech. This was an issue in the case Budlove v. Johnson, et. al., 2D22-1549 (Fla, 2d DCA December 29, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence
When a Florida domestic violence injunction is entered, a court can restrict a party’s access to animals residing with the parties. According to the Florida Statutes, a court can award “to the petitioner the temporary exclusive care, possession, or control of an animal that is owned, possessed, harbored, kept, or held by the petitioner, the respondent, or a minor child residing in the residence or household of the petitioner or respondent. The court may order the respondent to temporarily have no contact with the animal and prohibit the respondent from taking, transferring, encumbering, concealing, harming, or otherwise disposing of the animal. This subparagraph does not apply to an animal owned primarily for a bona fide agricultural purpose, as defined under s. 193.461.” Fla. Stat. 741.30(5)(a)4. This was an issue in the case Kollman v. Caudill, 2D22-3442 (Fla. 2d DCA December 27, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence
Obtaining a stalking injunction in Florida requires that the victim prove, among other factors, a consistent course of conduct aimed at the victim for no legitimate reason that causes substantial emotional distress. While certain interactions can be unpleasant, they may not be enough to sustain a stalking injunction. This was an issue in the case Paylan v. Staton, 2D21-3904 (Fla. 2d DCA December 27, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence
To obtain an injunction for protection against sexual violence in Florida, the statutes require specific steps to be taken by the petitioner. Those steps include reporting the sexual violence to a law enforcement agency and cooperating in any criminal proceeding against the respondent, “regardless of whether criminal charges based on the sexual violence have been filed, reduced, or dismissed by the state attorney”. § 784.046(2)(c), Fla. Stat. This was an issue in the case Kuschnitzky v. Marasco, 1D2022-1751 (Fla. 1st DCA November 29, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence
How much notice is sufficient for a domestic violence injunction hearing? Due process requires that each party be given fair and adequate notice to be heard before adverse action is taken against them. This was an issue in the case Garrison v. Williamson, 5D22-2695 (Fla. 5th DCA October 20, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence
As it relates to stalking in Florida, section 784.048(1)(a) of the Florida Statutes defines the term "harass" as "to engage in a course of conduct directed at a specific person which causes substantial emotional distress to that person and serves no legitimate purpose." What is considered substantial emotional distress? This was an issue in the case Potts v. Lewis, 2D22-1678 (Fla. 2d DCA October 25, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence
Can a Florida stalking injunction be used to stop discourteous neighbors from taking action which disturbs other neighbors? Unless the action fits the statutory definition of stalking, a domestic violence injunction petition is not the way to address these matters. This was an issue in the case Brennan v. Syfrett, 1D22-1286 (Fla. 1st DCA August 2, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence
Can a domestic violence injunction be denied on the basis that a criminal case is pending and therefore the criminal court is in a better position to address the issues raised in the petition? The Florida Statutes mandate that a hearing must be held when a properly filed domestic violence petition is pending. This was an issue in the case Doe v. Days, 1D22-3652 (Fla. 1st DCA July 19, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence
What is needed to extend a Florida domestic violence injunction? Once an injunction is entered, it is set to expire by a certain date. Victims of domestic violence may be fearful that an injunction will expire, and thus may wish to postpone the expiration date. This was an issue in the case Kaye v. Wilson, 2D22-2009 (Fla. 2d DCA June 23, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence
If a party does not agree with a trial court’s findings in a Florida domestic violence case, can that party appeal? It depends on what issues are raised in an appeal. The fact that a party simply disagrees with a court’s credibility findings may not be enough. This was an issue in the case Pipher v. Pipher, 6D23-374 (Fla. 6th DCA May 26, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence
In a domestic violence case, the court can consider a history of domestic violence in considering whether present allegations warrant the entry of an injunction. However, this is not without limits - a party defending against a domestic violence claim has to be put on notice via allegations contained in the petition that he or she will need to defend against specific claims. This was an issue in the case Blanco v. Santana, 6D23-305 (Fla. 6th DCA May 19, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence Injunctions
How many incidents of stalking must be proven to support a Florida stalking injunction? In the recent case of Klein v. Manville, 6D23-50 (Fla. 6th DCA April 6, 2023), the parties disagreed about the number and types of incidents that needed to be proven.
