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Florida Criminal Offense

Violation of Protective Injunction

Willfully violating an injunction for protection against repeat violence, sexual violence, or dating violence, or a qualifying foreign protection order.

VariesVaries

Florida Statute

§ 784.047

Penalties for violating protective injunction against violators

Quick Summary

Confirm the injunction type, validity, willful prohibited act, victim, and the number of prior qualifying injunction or protection-order convictions.

Classification Matrix

Use this as a quick classification reference. Specific facts, statutory circumstances, and charging allegations may affect the applicable result.

Willful Violation of Protective Injunction

F.S. § 784.047(1)

MisdemeanorFirst Degree

Willfully violating a listed prohibition in an injunction for protection against repeat, sexual, or dating violence, or a qualifying foreign protection order.

Repeat Violation Against Same Victim

F.S. § 784.047(2)

FelonyThird Degree

After two or more qualifying prior convictions, committing a subsequent protective-injunction or protection-order violation against the same victim.

Elements of the Offense

  1. Element 1

    An injunction for protection against repeat violence, sexual violence, or dating violence, or a qualifying foreign protection order, was in effect against the defendant for the benefit of the victim.

    Plain language: Identify the injunction type and confirm the protected person.

  2. Element 2

    The defendant willfully violated the injunction or order through a listed prohibited act.

    Plain language: Select and document the specific act, such as prohibited contact, proximity, violence, property damage, or a firearms-related violation.

  3. Element 3

    For the felony repeat-violation track, the defendant previously had two or more qualifying injunction or protection-order convictions and the subsequent violation was against the same victim.

    Plain language: Confirm the number and nature of prior qualifying convictions and the same-victim condition.

Jury Instructions

Instruction 8.19

Violation of Injunction for Protection Against Repeat, Sexual, or Dating Violence

Florida Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases, Instruction 8.19, for F.S. 784.047. The repeat-violation determination requires the instruction's bifurcation guidance.

View Official Instruction

Important Definitions

Willfully

Knowingly, intentionally, and purposely.

Additional Notes

Quick Reference

Identify whether the order protects against repeat, sexual, or dating violence. Record the exact prohibited act, the protected person, and any qualifying prior injunction or protection-order convictions.

Important

The felony enhancement requires two or more qualifying prior convictions and a subsequent violation against the same victim. Review the current order itself for its precise terms.