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Frequently Asked Questions

The law offers protection for victims of acts of violence. Victims have the right to petition that an injunction be filed against the person inflicting the violence. An injunction orders a person to do specific things or to stop doing specific things. The Clerk's Office is authorized by law to provide clerical assistance for preparing and filing a petition for an injunction. A victim of Domestic or Repeat Violence should come in person to one of the following location:

Intake Locations:
Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center
175 NW 1 Avenue, Suite 142, Miami, Florida 33128

Hours of Operations:
Monday & Wednesday from 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Closed: Sunday & All Holidays

Hialeah District Court
11 E. 6th Street, Hialeah, Florida 33010
Business Hours: Monday - Friday from 9:00am- 4:00 pm

North Dade Justice Center
15555 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 103, Miami, Florida 33160
Business Hours: Monday - Friday from 9:00am- 4:00 pm

South Dade Justice Center
10710 SW 211th St., Suite 1200Miami, Florida 33189
Business Hours: Monday - Friday from 9:00am- 4:00 pm

Assistance will be provided in filing the necessary paperwork.

After the paperwork has been completed, if it is determined by the Court that you are in danger of being victimized, the deputy clerk will prepare a temporary injunction order for signature by a judge. This order can be obtained on the same day you file your petition without a hearing before the judge. The temporary injunction is valid for up to 15 days.

There is no longer a filing fee for domestic violence cases; however, there may be a sheriff service fee if the respondent lives outside of the state of Florida. A petitioner should always check with the city and state where the respondent resides prior to coming into our office to file. They should come with a money order of personal check made payable in the amount and name that is provided to them.

If a victim is unable to pay these fees and signs an affidavit stating this, the fees can be waived until a later time. Lack of money should not keep a person who feels they are in danger from filing a petition.

Within the time period that the temporary injunction is in effect, a court hearing will be scheduled before the judge to determine if a permanent injunction should be entered against the person committing the acts of violence. A permanent injunction is good indefinitely, or until dissolved by the Court.

Any violations of the terms of the injunction should be reported in person to the Domestic Violence Intake Unit, located at the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center, 175 N.W. 1st. Avenue, Suite 142  before 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, in order to initiate further court action.

If you need to file for an injunction, you can save time by completing the printed Injunction for Protection against Domestic Repeat Violence Intake (2) pages downloadable from located at our Online Forms link and bringing them into one of the four intake locations. Upon arrival at one of the intake locations, an intake specialist will assist you in the process of obtaining an injunction. If you have any questions, please call the Domestic Violence Advocacy Unit at 305-349-5677 or the Clerk’s Office Domestic Violence Unit at 305-349-5813.