PLANTATION POLICE VICTIM SERVICES 

The Plantation Police Department is proud to offer a full-time Victim Advocate/Juvenile Counselor who provides assistance to victims and witnesses of crimes. The Victim Advocate/Juvenile Counselor offers friendly, professional and supportive services as individuals proceed through the criminal justice system.

Victim Advocates are not lawyers, but are familiar with the workings of the criminal justice system as well as the needs and rights of victims. The Victim Advocate/Juvenile Counselor is here to help with the emotional, financial and legal needs individuals may be experiencing as a result of crime victimization. There is no fee for the services of the Victim Advocate/Juvenile Counselor.

If you are not a victim of a crime, but are experiencing other difficulties, the Victim Advocate/Juvenile Counselor may be able to assist you with information and referrals to community based service providers.

Services provided include, but are not limited to:

• Crisis Intervention and Short Term Counseling
• Information and Referrals to Community Organizations
• Criminal Justice Support and Advocacy
• Victim Compensation Assistance

The Plantation Police Department Victim Advocate/Juvenile Counselor may be contacted directly at the telephone number and e-mail address listed below:

Debbie Geller, MSW, L.C.S.W.
Victim Advocate/Juvenile Counselor
954-797-2172
954-797-2777 (Fax)
DGeller@psd.plantation.org

First Appearance

In Broward County, First Appearance Court hearings typically occur within 24 hours of a defendant’s arrest. On weekdays (Monday to Friday), defendants scheduled for the morning docket appear at the First Appearance hearing at 9 a.m., while defendants scheduled for the afternoon docket appear at the First Appearance hearing at 12:30 p.m. We have varying start times during weekends and holidays, but we generally begin by 8:30 a.m.

For more information on First Appearances, please visit the Broward County State Attorney Office at https://browardsao.com/victim-advocate-unit-first-appearance-court/

Restraining Orders and Injunctions

Information on restraining orders and injunctions can be found here. https://www.browardclerk.org/Divisions/DomesticViolence#RestrainingOrdersAndInjunctions

Women In Distress of Broward County, Inc. recognizes that taking legal action against an abuser in an important step in keeping survivors and their families safe. 

The Injunction for Protection Project (IFP) at Women in Distress eliminates barriers by providing free legal services to secure restraining orders against abusers and help survivors defend against Dependency (a.k.a. Child Welfare) cases resulting from Domestic Violence.

To schedule a consultation with an attorney, fill out the IFP referral form at the following link.

https://widbroward.org/get-help/injunction-for-protection/

Legal Aid can be obtained through Coast to Coast Legal Aid South Florida