Overview
Legal Aid’s Domestic Violence Project serves victims of domestic violence in Palm Beach County. Our goal is to provide high quality, free legal services to empower victims of domestic violence and to ensure their safety. Legal Aid Society’s Domestic Violence Project (DVP) provides attorney representation in hearings for Injunctions for Protection (restraining orders) Against Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Violence, Repeat Violence and Stalking.
Legal Aid Society’s Injunction Initiation Project (IIP) assists victims in filing petitions for Injunctions for Protection (restraining orders) Against Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Violence, Repeat Violence and Stalking. Filing assistance is provided remotely by telephone by intake paralegals under attorney supervision. All documents are reviewed by an attorney.
Services
- Immediate legal counseling
- A free lawyer to represent you at the injunction hearing
- Assistance to victims who wish to modify or extend existing injunctions
- Referrals for free representation for qualified individuals for divorce, paternity, child support, adoption, relative custody, public benefits, housing, dependency, foreclosure, immigration, senior citizen issues and more.
If you have general domestic violence legal questions, or if you have a hearing set in an injunction case, contact us for free legal advice and representation at 561-655-8944, ext. 238 or DVP@legalaidpbc.org.
If you need assistance in filing a petition for an Injunction for Protection (restraining order), please contact the IIP intake paralegals at 561-655-8944, ext. 137 or 138 or at IIP@legalaidpbc.org.
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FAQ
Domestic Violence is defined as: 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. Fla. Stat. §741.28.
Injunctions for Protection (commonly called “restraining orders” or “protection orders”) are court orders that protect victims from violence and contact (at home, at work, in-person, by telephone, email, text message and via third-party).
First, file a Petition for Injunction with the Clerk of Court describing the instances of domestic violence. Be specific about dates and times. Describe recent events as well as any violence or threats of violence that have occurred in the past. A judge will review your petition and may then enter a Temporary Injunction or an Order Setting Hearing. These orders require you to appear before the court within fifteen (15) days to testify and bring any evidence and witnesses to show why you need the injunction.
How to Qualify
THERE ARE NO FEES AND NO FINANCIAL QUALIFICATIONS TO RECEIVE OUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES.
There are no income requirements to qualify for domestic violence injunction representation by Legal Aid’s Domestic Violence Project. The Domestic Violence Project only represents victims of domestic violence. We do not represent alleged batterers. If you have had an injunction entered against you in the past, or if you have been arrested for domestic violence in the past, we will not represent you.
Resources
Local Domestic Violence Shelters
Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse (AVDA)
24 Hour Hotline: (800) 355-8547
Mary Rubloff YWCA Harmony House
Phone: (561) 640-9844
Florida Resource Center for Women & Children, Inc.
Phone: (561) 848-8383
Disclaimer
The information provided on this website is information only. It does not constitute legal advice, nor does it substitute for the advice of an expert representative or attorney who knows the particulars of your case. Any use you make of the information on this website is at your own risk. We have made every effort to provide reliable, up-to-date information, but we do not guarantee its accuracy.
