Restraining Order Attorney in Tampa

Family Law-Focused Injunction Representation in Tampa & St. Petersburg

Harris, Hunt & Derr, P.A. is devoted entirely to marital and family law in the Tampa Bay area, with offices in Tampa and St. Petersburg. We handle restraining order matters, known in Florida courts as injunctions for protection, for clients who have a pending divorce, custody, or paternity case and for those who have no other family law action at all. Our attorneys are familiar with procedures at both Hillsborough County courts in Tampa and Pinellas County courts serving St. Petersburg, so representation travels with your situation rather than stopping at a county line.

Restraining order matters frequently arise in the middle of a divorce or custody dispute. When they do, decisions made in the injunction proceeding can shape issues in the family court case running alongside it. We handle both so that strategy stays coordinated from the start.

If you need a restraining order attorney in Tampa or have questions about an injunction for protection, call us at (813) 223-5421 to schedule a confidential consultation.

Florida’s Five Types of Injunctions for Protection

Florida uses the term “injunction for protection” as its official legal framework. What most people call a restraining order is filed and enforced through this process. Florida law provides five categories, each addressing a different relationship and set of circumstances: domestic violence, dating violence, repeat violence, sexual violence, and stalking.

The domestic violence injunction, governed by Florida Statute 741.30, covers spouses, former spouses, relatives by blood or marriage, current or former co-residents, and people who share a child regardless of marital history. Covered acts include assault, battery, sexual assault, stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, and any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death committed by a family or household member.

What a court-ordered injunction can do:

• Prohibit all contact by phone, text, email, social media, or through third parties
• Require the respondent to stay away from the petitioner’s home, workplace, and school
• Award exclusive use of a shared residence
• Address temporary child custody arrangements
• Require the respondent to surrender firearms

Violating a court-issued injunction is a criminal offense under Florida law and can result in arrest. Final injunctions issued in Florida are enforceable nationwide under federal law, and out-of-state protective orders are enforceable in Florida as well.

Filing a Restraining Order in Hillsborough County

Petitions for domestic violence injunctions in Hillsborough County are filed at the George Edgecomb Courthouse in Tampa. Filing is available seven days a week, including weekends and holidays, and there is no filing fee. Hillsborough County processes approximately 6,600 applications for protection each year. A confidential address form is available at the courthouse to keep the petitioner’s address out of the public record.

The Temporary Injunction Stage

After a petition is filed, a judge reviews it, often the same day. If the petition demonstrates an immediate and present danger of violence, the judge may issue a temporary injunction without a hearing. That temporary order remains in effect for up to 15 days, during which a final hearing is scheduled within 15 calendar days of the petition filing date.

What to Expect at the Final Hearing

At the final hearing, both parties may present witnesses, photographs, and other evidence. The judge can grant a final injunction, modify the terms requested, or dismiss the petition. A final injunction may be issued for a specific term or indefinitely and can be extended before it expires. Choosing the right type of injunction and preparing the petition accurately are points in the process where legal guidance can make a meaningful difference.

Community Resources for Tampa Residents

The Spring of Tampa Bay and the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay assist victims with online injunction filing through TurboCourt. Are You Safe, a Tampa nonprofit providing free legal services to domestic violence victims, counts Harris, Hunt & Derr, P.A. attorneys among its volunteer attorneys.

When a Restraining Order Intersects With Divorce or Custody

A domestic violence injunction can significantly affect child custody, time-sharing, and parental responsibility determinations in a related divorce or paternity case. It can also affect housing arrangements, firearm ownership, employment background checks, and financial support obligations. These consequences extend well beyond the immediate safety order and need to be accounted for in the broader legal strategy.

Florida domestic violence actions are typically heard in a separate court division from divorce or paternity cases. Without coordination, two proceedings running at the same time can produce conflicting outcomes. We advise clients on whether consolidating a domestic violence action with a pending family law case serves their overall interests, and we handle both matters under one legal team when that’s the right approach. This approach supports a unified strategy, avoids duplication of effort, and helps reduce gaps between proceedings.

Why Tampa Families Work With Harris, Hunt & Derr, P.A.

Harris, Hunt & Derr, P.A. is rated Tier 1 in Family Law by U.S. News Best Law Firms and has been recognized as one of the Best Divorce Lawyers in Tampa by Expertise.com. The firm has also been named a Top Lawyers Winner in Tampa Magazine from 2020 to 2026. These recognitions reflect a consistent standard of practice across every matter we handle.

We deliberately limit our client intake so every case receives focused, senior-level attention rather than volume-based processing. Our attorneys work collaboratively, drawing on combined knowledge of family law and domestic violence proceedings to build a strategy around each client’s specific circumstances.

Our Protection Without Destruction® approach shapes how we handle every matter. It means we pursue outcomes that account for a client’s family relationships and personal well-being alongside the immediate legal result. When children are involved, that perspective informs our recommendations.

Schedule a Confidential Consultation

Restraining order and injunction matters move quickly. Whether you need to file for protection, respond to a petition filed against you, or coordinate an injunction with a pending divorce or custody case, we can help you understand your options and build a plan. Our offices in Tampa and St. Petersburg serve clients throughout the Tampa Bay area.

Contact Harris, Hunt & Derr, P.A. by phone at (813) 223-5421 or through our online contact form to schedule a confidential consultation with a Tampa restraining order attorney.