Florida’s DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BENCHBOOK March 2017 Office of the State Courts Administrator This project was supported by Contract No. LN967 awarded by the state administering office for the STOP Formula Grant Program. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the state or the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. INTRODUCTION HOW TO USE THIS BENCHBOOK This benchbook is a compilation of promising and science-informed practices as well as a legal resource guide for use in legal proceedings involving interpersonal violence. It is a comprehensive tool for both new and seasoned judges, providing information regarding legal and non-legal considerations in domestic violence cases. For the most recent cases, please use the following link: http://www.flcourts.org/resources-and- services/court-improvement/family-courts/domestic-violence/FIIVcaselaw.stml The citations in this benchbook have been abbreviated to improve the flow of the text. A citation to section 741.30, Florida Statutes, appears as § 741.30. All references are to the 2016 Florida Statutes. The benchbook features: Domestic Violence, Repeat Violence, Sexual Violence and Dating Violence, Stalking and Elder Abuse Benchcards Mandatory Reporting of Abuse Checklist Colloquy for Injunction Hearings Domestic Violence Legal Outline Domestic Violence Civil and Criminal Proceedings Outlines Child Support in Domestic Violence Proceedings Comparison of Chapter 741 and 39 Injunctions Comparison of the five Injunctions for Protection Firearms and Domestic Violence Quick Reference Guide Articles and Publications Related to Interpersonal Violence Whether you use it the online version or print it out and put it in a notebook, we hope you find this benchbook to be a reference you turn to often. We invite your suggestions for additions and improvements. Please provide comments and suggestions to: Kathleen Tailer, Office of Court Improvement, Supreme Court Building, 500 South Duval Street, Tallahassee, Florida, 32399-1900. You may also send comments and suggestions via email: [email protected], or phone: 850/414.1507. Upon request by a qualified individual with a disability, this document will be made available in alternate formats. To order this document in an alternate format, please contact the Office of Court Improvement, Supreme Court Building, 500 South Duval Street, Tallahassee, Florida, 32399-1900. Phone: 850/414.1507. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BENCHBOOK Table of Contents SECTION I: INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE INJUNCTION HEARINGS Chapter 741 Injunction Flowchart ........................................................... 1 Chapter 741.30(1)(a), Florida Statutes ..................................................... 2 Domestic Violence Injunction Case Process ................................................ 3 Domestic Violence Benchcard ................................................................ 5 Definition .................................................................................... 5 Standing ..................................................................................... 5 Ex Parte Temporary Injunctions .......................................................... 5 Final Injunctions Issued After Notice and Hearing ..................................... 7 Compliance, Enforcement, and Violations of Injunctions ............................ 8 Dating Violence Benchcard ................................................................... 9 Definition ................................................................................... 9 Standing ..................................................................................... 9 Temporary Ex Parte Injunctions ......................................................... 9 Final Injunctions Issued After Notice and Hearing .................................. 10 Compliance, Enforcement, and Violations of Injunctions ......................... 11 Repeat Violence Benchcard ................................................................ 12 Definition ................................................................................. 12 Standing ................................................................................... 12 Temporary Ex Parte Injunctions ....................................................... 12 Final Injunctions Issued After Notice and Hearing .................................. 13 Compliance, Enforcement, and Violations of Injunctions ......................... 13 Sexual Violence Benchcard ................................................................. 15 Definition ................................................................................. 15 Standing ................................................................................... 15 Temporary Ex Parte Injunctions ....................................................... 16 Final Injunctions Issued After Notice and Hearing .................................. 16 Compliance, Enforcement, and Violations of Injunctions ......................... 17 Stalking Benchcard .......................................................................... 18 Definition ................................................................................. 18 Standing ................................................................................... 18 Temporary Ex Parte Injunctions ....................................................... 18 Final Injunctions Issued After Notice and Hearing .................................. 19 Compliance, Enforcement, and Violations of Injunctions ......................... 20 Elder Abuse Benchcard ...................................................................... 21 Definition ................................................................................. 21 Some Possible Indications of Elder Abuse ............................................ 22 Mandatory Reporting .................................................................... 22 Possible Injunctive Relief ............................................................... 22 Abuse by Family Members .......................................................... 22 Abuse by Non-relative Caregivers ................................................. 23 Abuse by Individuals in a Dating Relationship ................................... 23 Sexual Abuse ............................................................................. 23 Stalking .................................................................................... 24 Guardianship and Elder Abuse ......................................................... 24 Remediation and Case Management Tools ........................................... 25 Additional Resources .................................................................... 25 Comparison of Five Injunctions for Protection .......................................... 26 Chapter 39 Injunctions ...................................................................... 32 Comparison of Chapter 39 and Chapter 741 Injunctions ............................... 34 Colloquy for Injunction Hearings .......................................................... 36 Protocol for Domestic Violence Injunction Hearings ................................... 41 Do .......................................................................................... 41 Do Not ..................................................................................... 42 Mandatory Reporting of Abuse Checklist ................................................. 43 Who Needs to Report? ................................................................... 43 Mandatory Reporter (General) ..................................................... 43 Mandatory Reporter (Professional) ................................................ 43 What Needs to be Reported? ........................................................... 44 Child Abuse ........................................................................... 44 Sexual Battery ........................................................................ 44 Vulnerable Adult Abuse ............................................................. 44 Who do you Report it to? ............................................................... 44 What Happens if You Don’t Report? ................................................... 45 What Happens After the Report is Made? ............................................ 45 What Happens if You Make a False Report? .......................................... 45 Consequences for Respondent Once a Final Injunction for Protection Against Domestic Violence is Entered .............................................................. 46 Security: A Model Court Family Essential Element...................................... 47 Scope ....................................................................................... 47 Recommendations ........................................................................ 47 Prepare a Written Security Plan .................................................. 47 Security Issues Addressed in the Written Security Plan ....................... 48 Documentation of Security Incidents ............................................ 48 Personal Safety in the Courthouse ............................................... 49 Provide for Family Court Security Personnel ................................... 51 Implement Model Family Court Design Specifications ......................... 52 Conduct Periodic Security