Palm Beach County Domestic Violence and Injunction Attorneys

Domestic violence is when of one family member physically or emotionally abuses their or partner or another family member. Domestic violence can take many forms, including sexual battery, sexual assault, stalking, assault, kidnapping, false imprisonment and in some unfortunate situations, murder. Florida law enforcement takes domestic violence claims very seriously. Usually if a call is made to 911 about a domestic disturbance, law enforcement has a policy of making an arrest, regardless of what transpired at the home.

The Domestic Violence Attorneys at Whittel & Melton represent those charged with domestic violence crimes and also represent victims of domestic violence in divorce and other family law matters in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton and throughout Palm Beach County.

The purpose of a Domestic violence injunction hearing is for the court to determine whether an act of domestic violence has occurred and whether the party asking fro injunctive relief is in immediate danger of becoming a victim of domestic violence. Victims of domestic violence also include children.

If you are the petitioner who is asking for an injunction, you will be asked to testify in court about any abuse you have suffered at the hearing and could be subject to cross examination by the other party or their attorney.

If you are the respondent, or the party that is being accused of domestic violence, you have a right to be at the hearing and can also testify. If the respondent does not appear in court, the court may issue a "default judgment" against him or her.

One misconception many people have about domestic violence is that victims of domestic violence are only those involved in "romantic" relationships. Protection orders can also be taken out against violent adult children and children who abuse elderly family members in a household.

A temporary injunction--sometimes called a restraining order--prevents the person named in the order from contacting you or coming near you. The person must move out of the home immediately and if they violate the injunction by seeing you or contacting you, they can be held accountable by a judge and possibly be sentenced to jail time. Our Attorneys can represent you at a hearing to make the temporary injunction permanent.

If you have been physically, verbally or sexually abused by your current or former spouse, someone you once dated or another member of your household, DO NOT WAIT TO SEEK HELP. Contact the Law Offices of Whittel & Melton for a complimentary consultation and we will immediately go to court to request that a temporary injunction be issued against your abuser.

Sadly, some people exploit the intent of domestic violence laws by making false accusations of domestic violence in anger or to gain an advantage in divorce proceedings. However, an accusation of domestic violence has immediate and lasting consequences for the accused. For example, if you have been named in a restraining order, you will have difficulty in gaining custody or visitation rights for your children and you may not be treated equally in other divorce issues.

We represent clients in domestic violation injunctions throughout Palm Beach County, including clients from West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Palm Beach Gardens, Wellington, Riviera Beach, Jupiter, Delray Beach and Boynton Beach.

If you have been falsely accused of domestic violence, do not assume that the truth alone will protect you.

Contact the Palm Beach County Domestic Violence Attorneys at Whittel & Melton online or via phone at (561) 367-8777 to schedule a consultation. We work as hard to protect legitimate victims of domestic violence as we do to assert the rights of clients who have been falsely accused of domestic violence.

Whittel & Melton, LLC
3700 Airport Road #303
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Phone: (561) 367-8777