Domestic Violence

Related Information

• Domestic Violence Important Telephone Numbers
• Domestic Violence Intake Package
• Domestic Violence Petition Forms
• Domestic Violence: Certified Batterers Intervention Programs (BIPs)
• Supervised Visitation Programs and Centers
• Domestic Violence Civil Injunction Brochure for Petitioners
• Domestic Violence Civil Injunction Brochure for Respondents
• Domestic Violence Civil Injunctions: An Overview (Video)
• Domestic Violence Civil Injunctions: The Hearing (Video)
• The Effects of Exposure to Domestic Violence on Babies and Children (Video)
• Clerk of Courts: Domestic Violence Division
• Family Court Self-Help Program
• Family Court Services

Self-Represented Litigant Resources

• 10 Steps to Presenting Evidence in Court
• Florida E-Filing Portal

Videos

• Requesting a Self-Represented Litigant Account
• DIY Documents in the Portal
• Domestic Violence Injunction
• Repeat Violence Injunction
• Stalking Injunction
• Dating Violence Injunction
• Sexual Violence Injunction

Cyberstalking Resources

• Without My Consent
• Cyber Civil Rights Initiative
• K&L Gates Cyber Civil Rights Legal Project

Frequently Asked

• Frequently Asked Questions for Domestic Violence

Our Judges

• Domestic Violence Division Judges
• Emergency Judges

Our Locations

• Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse
• Harvey Ruvin Justice Center (Formerly North Dade Justice Center)
• South Dade Justice Center
• Hialeah Courthouse
• Joseph Caleb Center

Our Hours

• Monday - Friday
• 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

• Circuit Civil
• County Civil
• Criminal
• Family
• Probate
• Unified Family Court
• Traffic
• Domestic Violence
• Appellate

Domestic Violence

Please review your court notices carefully, as some hearings are being held virtually via Zoom while others are taking place in person at the courthouse.

If your hearing is scheduled via Zoom and you need the Zoom meeting information, please contact the assigned Judge's office directly.

If you have any questions or need additional information you can also contact the DV case management unit at (305)349-5556.

The Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida created a specialized Domestic Violence Division, comprised of seven judges and support services to deal exclusively with family violence issues and effectively addressing this type of crime through the justice system. The Domestic Violence Division hears protection (restraining) order cases, violation of injunction cases, criminal misdemeanor cases involving family violence and risk protection order cases. The court mandates accountability, punishment and meaningful treatment. Case managers assist the judges with preparation of injunction orders, time-sharing schedules and child support when the parties have minor children in common, specialized court orders and case management. The Division Judges and support personnel are located at the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center, however some injunction cases are filed at three Branch Court locations. Seven judges in the Branch Court locations hear these cases in addition to their assignments in other divisions.

Domestic Violence Civil Court (Injunction for Protection / Restraining Orders)

The Domestic Violence Division Judges hear civil injunction for protection order (restraining order) cases.

Domestic Violence Criminal Court (Misdemeanor)

The goal of the Domestic Violence Court is to prioritize misdemeanor domestic violence and injunction violation cases based on the prevalent risks factors involved.

Domestic Violence Drug Court

The Domestic Violence Division has one of the few problem-solving courts in the country dedicated to the monitoring of domestic violence and substance abuse batterers through a specialized review calendar known as Domestic Violence Drug Court (DV Drug Court).

Domestic Violence Mental Health Court

The Domestic Violence Division’s Mental Health Court (DV Mental Health Court), scheduled every Thursday morning, was developed to dedicate additional judicial time and resources to domestic violence defendants with mental health issues.

Risk Protection Orders

Risk Protection Order cases provide procedures whereby a law enforcement officer or a law enforcement agency can obtain a court order temporarily restricting a person’s access to firearms for up to one year in situations where the person poses a significant danger of harming himself/herself or others by possessing a firearm.

Programs and Services

Domestic Violence Civil Intake Unit

Operated through the joint efforts of the Clerk of Courts (COC) and the Department of Human Services (DHS) Advocacy unit, the Intake Unit is comprised of intake counselors and support staff dedicated to providing efficient and responsive services to the court and the community.

Domestic Violence Civil Case Management Unit

The Domestic Violence Case Management Unit provides immediate assistance, referrals, case assessment, support, and coordination. The unit serves as a liaison between the judiciary, related agencies, and the public.

Court Care

Court Care provides a safe and supervised drop-in childcare facility for children who must be in court in connection with matters involving the children or their parents or guardian.

Department of Translation and Interpretation

Court Interpreters interpret and translate verbal and written communications from a non-English to English language in court proceedings.