Philadelphia Area Protection Order Attorney

Pennsylvania law allows a person suffering physical abuse or threat of physical abuse to get protection. Among others, the list of the abuses relevant to this law - physical injury, threats of physical harm, involuntary sex, physical child abuse, sexual abuse of minor children, false imprisonment, and other actions - is a sad comment on what our "loved ones" may be capable of.

In Pennsylvania, a restraining order is called a "protection from abuse" order, or PFA. It is important to note that protection available under the statute is only available to certain groups of individuals (specifically defined within the statue). An example of individuals who may file for protection from abuse include the following: spouses, former spouses, people cohabitating, current or former intimate partners, persons who share biological parenthood. This list is not inclusive. It is important to contact an attorney to determine if you may be entitled to protection under the statute.

If you are suffering or threatened with abuse, take action now by going to the local courthouse or police and requesting domestic abuse protection with a PFA. A temporary "ex parte" order will issue protecting you for a few days until a judge can hear the other person's side of the story at a hearing. At that point, the judge may issue a longer-term "final" order. The court can order protection for a fixed period not to exceed three years.

The order is very specific, identifying the parties, prohibiting abuse, listing places the alleged abuser may not go, and where children involved will stay. If weapons have been used, they must be handed over to law enforcement and the subject of the order may not acquire new ones.

Our law firm represents those suffering spousal abuse or otherwise needing protection as well as people who have had orders taken out against them. We protect people's right to be safe, and right to fend off unfair charges. Contact a lawyer at 866-587-6138 or 215-392-0183 for assistance.