Earlier this year, leaders in Orange County pushed for change in Florida law. Specifically, they were looking at a few loopholes in Florida law that left domestic violence victims unprotected.
The first, Senate Bill 342, is a no contact order. It was approved by the Florida senate, and will go into effect October 1. Prior to this law, defendants were only prohibited from contacting their victims after posting bond and being released from jail. This meant that many defendants contacted their victims from prison, harassing them and making threats, and oftentimes convincing the victim to drop the charges altogether. When SB 342 goes into effect, the judge’s no contact order is effective immediately, and defendants are prohibited from contacting their victims.
The second proposed change, Senate Bill 1286, has not yet been approved. This bill deals with court ordered electronic monitoring devices. Currently, there is no law penalizing the removal, alteration, or disabling of these devices. But because Orange County suspended the use of electronic monitoring devices in 2013, this law wouldn’t impact cases in this county.
Orange County has seen some of the highest domestic violence rates in the nation in the last few years. Hopefully, with the changes SB 342 brings, we will see these rates drop. No one should have to live with the terror that domestic violence brings. Domestic violence can take many forms, including physical abuse, battery, sexual assault, stalking, or kidnapping. Any action that could result in injury or death may be considered domestic violence. If you or a loved one are a victim of domestic violence, or if you believe that your partner will commit an act of domestic violence, contact a Domestic Violence Lawyer today.
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