Protection From Abuse - PFA

Protection from Abuse

A Protection from Abuse Order (PFA Order) is a very powerful order designed to protect people from physical abuse.  PFAs protect more than just spouses and children. It could also protect you from someone you have never been married to, but have had a child with.  Someone can file for Protection from Abuse against someone with whom he or she has an intimate or family relationship. A parent may also file for Protection from Abuse on behalf of minor children in the home.

If a Judge enters a temporary Order, the accused abuser may be removed from the house and the Order will prohibit additional contact until a hearing is scheduled to determine whether a final Order will be entered. During this time, the accused abuser may be required to relinquish his or her firearms. If the accused abuser contacts the spouse or children while the PFA Order is in place, the abuser can be arrested, jailed, and/or fined.

While emotional and financial abuse are equally detrimental to someone’s well-being, PFAs can only be entered to protect against physical abuse or threats of physical abuse, or the “reasonable fear of imminent serious bodily injury.” 

Behavior and acts that may be considered abuse under the PFA laws are:

  • Intentionally or recklessly causing bodily injury, serious bodily injury, rape, spousal sexual assault or involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with or without a deadly weapon;
  • Placing another in reasonable fear of imminent serious bodily injury;
  • False imprisonment;
  • Physically or sexually abusing minor children;
  • Place the person in reasonable fear of bodily injury

If you need to file for Protection from Abuse, do not delay in contacting the local police.  

If you have a hearing scheduled, the attorneys at the Law Offices of Jennifer J. Riley will represent you, whether you have been falsely accused of abuse or whether you are facing your abuser.  It is important to have a strong advocate by your side.  

Schedule a Consult with a Protection from Abuse Attorney Now

 The attorneys at the Law Offices of Jennifer J. Riley offer free consultations to help you learn your legal rights and obligations related to your divorce, support, or custody matter.  We believe that understanding your legal rights can help to empower to help you make life's difficult decisions.  We strive to help reduce the fear everyone feels about the process.  

We meet with our Montgomery County and Bucks County clients in our Blue Bell office; we meet with our Mainline clients in our Wayne, Pennsylvania office, located near the King of Prussia Town Center.  

To schedule a free consultation, please contact us by email or by phone at 215-283-5080.