A 35-year-old St. Augustine woman in the midst of heated divorce proceedings was recently arrested after she allegedly spray painted graffiti on the Duval County Courthouse in downtown Jacksonville. According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the woman was caught painting letters, broken hearts, and angry messages to a family court judge on a walkway and several pillars attached to the newly constructed building. She is reportedly going through a messy divorce and custody battle. According to court records, her former husband has accused the woman of domestic abuse and asked for a restraining order against her.
The woman was charged with criminal mischief in excess of $1,000 and interrupting a business or utilities in connection with the courthouse vandalism. The woman also allegedly painted graffiti at the corporate headquarters of a family business that is owned at least in part by her former husband. She reportedly spray painted messages to her former spouse and her child in addition to painting other graffiti on the business.
In the State of Florida, domestic violence includes aggravated battery, assault, or stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, sexual assault or battery, and a variety of other criminal offenses. A victim of domestic abuse may seek a protection order against an alleged abuser. To obtain a restraining order against an abuser, a victim must provide the court with specific facts regarding why a restraining order is necessary. After a domestic violence victim requests a restraining order, a hearing is held to determine whether the alleged victim’s request should be granted.
In some cases, a protection order may be granted where there is a reasonable fear that domestic violence will occur. A temporary restraining order may be issued until a hearing can be held if the court believes a petitioner is in immediate danger. Temporary protection orders generally last for 15 days, but may be extended at the discretion of the court. A temporary or other restraining order requires an alleged abuser to stay away from his or her victim, the victim’s home, workplace, and other specified locations. A protection order may also award temporary custody of a couple’s minor children to an alleged domestic violence victim. If you were the victim of domestic violence, you should contact a skilled family law lawyer to discuss your rights in more detail.
If you have questions about domestic violence, divorce, or other family law issues, please call Attorney Sandy T. Fox toll free at (800) 596-0579. Mr. Fox is a quality Miami attorney who is available to assist clients located throughout South Florida with all of their family law needs including alimony, child custody, child support, paternity, and name changes. To speak with a hardworking and dedicated family lawyer today, do not hesitate to contact the Law Office of Sandy T. Fox through our website.
More Blog Posts:
Group Seeks to Reform Permanent Alimony Laws in the State of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Divorce Lawyer Blog, November 16, 2012
The Holiday Season is Normally Difficult for Newly Separated or Divorced Parents in Florida, Fort Lauderdale Divorce Lawyer Blog, November 10, 2012
Additional Resources:
Police: Woman spray paints new courthouse, News4Jax.com