Butler Domestic Abuse Lawyer
Domestic abuse is the most prevalent violent crime in the country. While both men and women can be victims, women are at the greatest risk of serious bodily harm or death. In fact, roughly half of all female homicide victims are killed by their intimate partners, according to NPR. Victims are usually trapped in a cycle of abuse for months or years, and the longer the abuse occurs, the harder it is to get out of the dangerous situation. Our experienced Butler domestic abuse lawyers at Bunde & Roberts, P.C. are here to help.
Pennsylvania Protection From Abuse Order
If someone has been threatened with or the victim of physical abuse by an intimate partner, former intimate partner, spouse, former spouse, or family or household member, they may petition the court for a protection from abuse order (PEA). They may be granted a PEA if they were the victim of any of the following types of abuse:
- Physical or sexual abuse resulting in bodily harm;
- False imprisonment;
- Being put in fear of imminent bodily injury; or
- Stalking.
Under the Protection From Abuse Act under Chapter 61, Title 23 § 6105, a protection from abuse order can be used for the following:
- Restraining the abuser from further acts of abuse;
- Directing the abuser to leave your household;
- Preventing the abuser from entering your residence, school, business or place of employment;
- Awarding you or the other parent temporary custody of or temporary visitation with your child or children; and/or
- Directing the abuser to pay support to you and the minor children if the abuser has a legal obligation to do so.
How does a court order accomplish this? If the abuser violates the order, they may face criminal charges. As such, a PEA can offer a sense of security for the victim, as the abuser has knowledge that a violation of the order may lead to incarceration. On the other hand, if you have had a PEA wrongly ordered against you, you must take immediate action. The implications of a PEA against you are serious, whether or not you end up violating the order.
The Three Types of Protection From Abuse Orders
There are three types of PEA orders. These include emergency, temporary, and final PFA orders.
- Emergency PFA—This type of order is necessary if the courts are closed (such as on the weekend). Victims work with the local police who contact a judge on their behalf. This type of PEA can be implemented without notifying the abuser, and goes into effect the next business day, at which point the victim should go to court to file a temporary PFA order.
- Temporary PFA—If there is evidence of abuse, the court will grant a temporary PFA order, which prevents the abuser from contacting or approaching the victim, may remove firearms from the home, and may establish a temporary child custody schedule.
- Final PFA—A hearing is scheduled in which the victim and alleged abuser are able to tell each of their sides of the story. If the judge believes that abuse has occurred, a final PEA is established, and the protective measures in the order may be established for up to three years.
Call a Butler Domestic Abuse Lawyer
Whether you fear for your life, the safety and upbringing of your child, or our own mental well-being and happiness, an attorney can help you break free of abuse by petitioning the court for a Protection from Abuse Order. The Butler domestic abuse lawyers at Bunde & Roberts, P.C. are here to help. Contact Bunde & Roberts, P.C. at 412-391-4330 today.
