Pittsburgh and Beaver County Lawyers for PFA

Take a Stand.
You may have been served with the time and date
for you to appear at a "PFA hearing" to determine
whether the temporary PFA against you will
become "permanent." This is a critical time. You
need to stand tough and defend against the claim
because a permanent PFA can have serious and
long term consequences as described below.

What is a PFA Order?
The term "PFA" stands for "Protection From Abuse"
as defined in the Protection From Abuse Act,
which is a statute that allows a court to enter an
order to protect against violence, threats, and
stalking. In order for a petitioner to have standing
under the Act, there has to be a certain
relationship between the petitioner and you, the
respondent-defendant, such as former lovers or
family members. Otherwise, the the case should
not be in the family court system (Court of
Common Pleas), rather, it should be a purely
criminal matter handled through a claim made
through the district justice office for criminal
harassment.

Is a PFA a "Crime"?
The answer no, however, like a criminal
conviction, a permanent PFA against you creates
proof that you put someone in threat of his or her
safety. The record of your PFA remains on the
civil docket after the PFA against you expires.
Thus, it is like a criminal conviction in that it
shows proof of "abuse, which the world can see
free of charge. For example, employers can now
search civil data bases online in many counties.
Further, while the PFA is in place, it is a civil order
that can be enforced like a criminal order if you
violate it. You must treat a PFA case like a
criminal matter for all intents and purposes.

Be Prepared For Court.
The hearing on whether your temporary PFA
becomes permanent is key. Your lawyer can tell
you how to prepare for court. The other side will
also be prepared. Neighborhood Legal Services
provides FREE representation to all supposed
"victims" of violence. As you know, everything you
say can be used against you. The transcript of
your testimony in a PFA hearing can be used to
impeach you later on if, for example, you have a
personal injury case that you bring and you seek
legitimate damages for pain and suffering.

Accept a "Deal"?
Your lawyer can tell you whether any "deal"
offered is really a deal. Some supposed deals are
no better than going to court and losing. Many of
our clients come to us too late and want to know
if there is an appeal process once they accept a
bad deal or if they go to court and lose. The
answer is, yes, you can appeal to the superior
court, but it is very difficult, time consuming, and
expensive. Some deals are great opportunties that
you would be foolish to reject. Others deals can
unnecessarily jeopardize your rights in matters
such as custody, child support, or other matters
and the facts may not warrant such an agreement
through the PFA court. Your lawyer can tell you
whether any deal offered to you is something you
should consider taking.

Easy Payment.
Our lawyers know PFA law inside and out. Our fees
are reasonable and we accept major credit card
payment. Let us help you with your PFA defense in
Allegheny County (Pittsburgh), Beaver County, or
Washington County. Make sure you have a great
defense strategy to keep a PFA off your record (or
minimize it) and to protect your right to your
residence and/or firearms.

Call Today.

Know Your
Options:
What Can You
Lose?

Under the PFA Act,
a court has broad
discretion to
prevent "abuse"
and to correct
financial hardships
on the allegedly
"abused" party.

The Act also allows
the courts to enter
a custody/visitation
order, make you
pay child support,
take away
weapons, and a
host of other
severe penalties. It
is therefore
advisable that you
meet with an
attorney and
evaluate your
strategy in trying to
"beat" a PFA.

If you go to a
hearing and lose,
you risk the court
ordering all the
above penalties
available against
you under the Act,
plus you risk
creating a
transcript of
testimony about
your tendency to
"abuse" that can
be used against
you in other
matters.

Be reluctant to
agree to any type
of PFA order
unless your
attorney helps draft
the terms of the
consent order and
advises you that
consent is the most
practical and
viable option to
limit the risk of loss
of your rights.