(Newswire.net — February 7, 2022) — The Pennsylvania PFA Act offers protection to the victims of domestic violence. It illustrates the procedures for applying, addressing, and executing the court order.
The procedures of applying for the protection from abuse order in Pennsylvania may seem to be unique in some respects. However, such orders may seem valid for other US states too. Upon achieving a PFA from a court of law in Pennsylvania, you must consider it to be valid even while moving out of the state. Both you and the abuser have to adhere to these norms.
The PFAs and Associated Orders in the State of Pennsylvania Are Stated Below:
Ex Parte Temporary PFA: In an attempt to achieve protection from abuse order, the victim may opt for filing a petition at the court of law while the common pleas are registered regularly. Consulting a judge after filing the petition is a part of the process.
You will achieve the PFA temporarily after the approval of the petition. The PFA is bound to last till the court hearing happens; it takes up to 10 days to complete the process. Compared to the file order, the Ex parte order needs the victim to speak to the judge.
Emergency Order: A victim needs to reach out to the judge at the local magistrate court and call 911 for achieving the temporary emergency order beyond the usual business hours. The authorities will grant such an emergency order when they recognize an imminent danger for your kids or you.
It is up to 5 PM on the following day that the order will stay in force. You may extend it while visiting the courthouse and filing your petition for the Ex parte order.
Final PFA: Alongside the statements that the witness presents, the reports from the police, and the evidence, the judge will also review the defendant’s testimony alongside yours. It helps them determine your scope of receiving the final order. The final PFA gets in force once the judge approves it.
How the PFA Works
Once the judge approves the PFA, the offender must adhere to the predefined restrictions regardless of whether it comes in the form of a final or temporary order. In case he fails to do that, he could be arrested for violating the laws of Pennsylvania. You must contact 911 without wasting time the sooner the abuser disregards the terms of the PFA.
The abuser won’t be able to do the following under protection from abuse orders:
- Get in touch with your minor children that involve visiting them in a school or the residence
- Cause your kids any form of harm or harassment
- Share the same residence once you achieve ownership of the place
- Acquire or possess firearms
Evaluation of orders happens based on individual cases. You are likely to achieve compensation for the cost of medical treatment that you bear out of pocket. It even suffices the cost of bearing temporary custody.