Being served with an injunction (often called a “restraining order”) can upend your life in an instant. You may be ordered to leave your home, avoid certain people or places, and surrender firearms—all before you ever have a chance to tell your side of the story. If you’re facing an injunction in Orlando, Winter Park, or anywhere in Orange or Seminole County, you need clear guidance and steady representation right away.
At Rentz Law, Attorney Carrie L. Rentz brings more than 20 years of experience in Central Florida courts to clients dealing with domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, repeat violence, and sexual violence injunctions. We’ll work with you to build a calm plan of action, give you direct access to your attorney, and mount a defense focused on protecting your future.
How Rentz Law Can Help
Local experience in injunction court – We regularly appear at the Orange County Courthouse in Orlando and the Seminole County Criminal Justice Center in Sanford, so we understand how local judges and clerks handle injunction calendars, temporary orders, and final hearings.
Hands on representation – Carrie personally reviews your paperwork, prepares you for hearings, and represents you in court instead of handing your case off to a junior lawyer.
Clear communication – You can reach Carrie by text, phone, or email and get straightforward answers about what the order means, what you can and cannot do, and what happens next.
Meet Your Theft Defense Attorney
Carrie L. Rentz is a former prosecutor and skilled defense attorney who has spent more than two decades litigating criminal and injunction matters in Central Florida. She understands how injunctions are filed, how they interact with criminal cases, and how judges evaluate credibility and risk at hearings. Carrie walks you through each step of your case, making sure you’re prepared, informed, and supported from the initial hearing through final resolution.
20+ Years of Experience Serving Orange and Seminole Counties
Understanding Injunctions and Restraining Orders in Florida
In Florida, what most people call a “restraining order” is legally an injunction for protection. It is a civil court order that can:
- Prohibit contact with the petitioner
- Order you to stay away from certain locations
- Affect your housing, employment, child contact, and firearms possession rights
The Orange County Clerk’s Family Services Injunction Team and the Seminole County Clerk both help petitioners file for injunctions, often at no cost. Injunctions are commonly referred to as restraining orders in their public materials.
Even though injunctions are civil, violating an injunction can lead to criminal charges and separate penalties.
Types of Injunctions and Restraining Orders in Florida
Florida law recognizes several main types of protective injunctions:
- Domestic Violence Injunctions – Under Florida Statute 741.30, these involve allegations of domestic violence between family or household members, such as spouses, former spouses, co-parents, relatives, or people who live or lived together as a family.
- Repeat, Dating, and Sexual Violence Injunctions – Under Florida Statute 784.046, a person can petition for protection based on repeat violence, dating violence, or sexual violence, even if there is no current criminal case.
- Stalking and Cyberstalking Injunctions – Under Florida Statute 784.0485, there is a specific cause of action for stalking injunctions, and includes cyberstalking.
The Florida Courts and local circuits describe these five main categories as the standard forms of protection available statewide.
How Do Restraining Orders Work in Florida?
In Central Florida, injunction petitions are typically filed with the clerk of court in the county where the petitioner lives or where the events occurred:
- Orange County Clerk of Courts – Family Services Injunctions provides forms and assistance and notes that filing for a restraining order is free.
- Seminole County Clerk of the Circuit Court – Protective Order Injunctions similarly provides information and instructions to petitioners seeking protection.
Once a petition is filed, a judge may enter a temporary (ex parte) injunction on the same day, then schedule a full hearing where both sides can appear and present evidence. Florida court forms for temporary injunctions and final orders explain this process and are used in Orange and Seminole County courts.
If you are the respondent, that hearing is your opportunity to defend yourself and ask the court to deny, modify, or limit the injunction.
If you have been served with an injunction or temporary restraining order in Orlando or Seminole County:
- The order is effective immediately once served.
- You may be ordered to have no contact with the petitioner, leave a shared residence, stay away from work or school, and avoid certain places.
- A final hearing date will be listed in the paperwork, usually within a couple of weeks.
- Violating the temporary injunction can result in arrest and criminal charges, often for violation of injunction or contempt.
At Rentz Law, we review the petition and temporary order with you, explain each condition, and prepare a strategy for the hearing.
How We Defend Injunction & Restraining Order Cases
Every client’s case is different, but our approach is always focused on stringent preparation, evidence review, and protecting your rights.
Initial Review – We go through the petition, police reports, texts, emails, social media messages, and any criminal case that may be related. We identify what the petitioner is alleging and what evidence you have to respond.
Evidence Gathering and Strategy – We help you gather messages, call logs, location records, photos, and witness contact information that may contradict or clarify the allegations. We also look for timing issues, prior disputes, and any signs that the injunction is being used as leverage in family, divorce, or custody matters.
Hearing Representation – At the final injunction hearing, we present your side through testimony, documents, and cross examination. We can ask the court to:
- Deny the injunction
- Limit its scope or duration
- Modify no contact or stay away conditions in appropriate cases
Follow Up and Related Criminal Issues – If there is a connected criminal case, we coordinate strategy so your testimony at the injunction hearing does not harm your defense. We also advise you on ongoing compliance if the court issues an injunction.
Know Your Rights and Possible Consequences
You have important rights in these proceedings:
- The right to notice and a hearing before a long term injunction is entered.
- The right to present evidence and witnesses in your own defense.
- The right to be represented by an attorney, even though the court does not appoint one in civil cases.
At the same time, final injunctions carry serious consequences:
- They can limit or remove your ability to possess firearms or ammunition under Florida Statute 790.233, which makes it a crime to have a firearm while subject to certain domestic violence or stalking injunctions.
- They may restrict where you live or work and can appear in background checks.
- Violations can lead to criminal contempt proceedings or separate criminal charges, as explained in Florida statute 784.046 and appellate guidance on injunction enforcement.
We help you understand this impact so you can make informed decisions at each stage.
What to Do (and Avoid) After You Are Served
The steps you take immediately after being served with an injunction can determine whether you protect your rights or create difficulties for your case.
Do:
- Read the order carefully and follow every term even if you disagree with it.
- Save all related paperwork and court notices.
- Preserve potential evidence, such as texts, emails, GPS data, and witness names.
- Contact a lawyer promptly so there is time to prepare for the hearing.
Do Not:
- Contact the petitioner directly or through friends or relatives, unless the order clearly allows limited contact and you have discussed it with counsel.
- Post about the situation on social media.
- Ignore the hearing date or assume the court will dismiss the case if the petitioner does not show up.
What Our Clients Are Saying
Carrie was extremely helpful in a difficult situation. She was detailed, easy to communicate with and provided a favorable result in the end. If your looking for a great attorney pick up the phone and call Carrie today!
Carrie is everything as advertised. She actually puts in time and effort to get to know you and shows true sympathy toward her clients. Great people skills and even better knowledge of the law. Highly recommended!
When I initially called Carrie I was hesitant, scared, and didn't know what to expect. I can tell you first hand, Carrie and her assistant are AMAZING. I would recommend to anyone and everyone. Good luck Carrie on your future endeavors, all the best.
I hired Mrs. Rentz for a legal issue I had in the Orlando area. Being from out of town, I use some references as a guide. Mrs. Rentz looked to be the right attorney. She is very caring and takes your issue very seriously.
This was by far the best experience i have had with a lawyer she always let me know what was going on with my case and always stayed positive while fighting for me in the courtroom. Just want to say i appreciate everything you have done for me and will definitely recommend you to anyone. If i could it would be 10 stars, thank you again
Carrie was wonderful to work with. She made the entire process so smooth for me and was always easy to get in touch with whenever I had any questions.
Carrie Rentz is an amazing lawyer. She is very informed and ready to answer any questions I have. She and her assistant reply to emails in a timely fashion and are both very friendly and knowledgeable. If you are looking for a lawyer I 100% recommend her.
Injunction/Restraining Order FAQs
Is a restraining order the same as an injunction in Florida?
Yes. In Florida, the term “restraining order” is commonly used, but court and clerk documents refer to these as injunctions for protection.
Do I need a lawyer for an injunction hearing?
The law does not require one, but because injunctions can affect your freedom, housing, work, and firearms rights, many people choose to have counsel to present evidence and cross examine witnesses.
What happens if the petitioner does not come to the hearing?
Judges often dismiss when the petitioner fails to appear, but not always. The court can continue the case or proceed based on available evidence. We help you navigate this and know what to expect.
Can I get an injunction modified or dissolved later?
Yes, in some cases. Florida rules and clerk forms allow motions to modify or dissolve injunctions when circumstances change.
How does an injunction affect my gun rights in Florida?
Under Florida Statute 790.233, certain domestic violence and stalking injunctions prohibit you from possessing firearms or ammunition while the order is in effect. Violations can lead to new criminal charges.
