If someone has been a victim of violence from a family member, former partner, or current intimate partner, they can seek a ‘Protection From Abuse’ order mandating that they are not to contact the abused party. A Protection From Abuse (PFA) order can require that the individual stay a minimum distance away from the individual, prohibit contact by phone, text, email or social media. Additionally, a protection from abuse order can grant temporary custody of children, and force the relinquishment of guns or weapons.
Though a valuable tool for those who are being abused by their family members or partners, PFAs can also be used inappropriately – they can be used as a sword instead of a shield, so to speak. Motivations can be retaliation, jockeying for custody, or others. However, if a PFA is entered against a person, that person could lose access to their firearms, could be put into a position to unintentionally violate the PFA, and also will have a PFA on their record. As you can see, a PFA is a tool that can be easily misused.
Generally, a preliminary and temporary PFA is granted without you having the opportunity to be heard by a judge. It is important that you obtain representation at this stage to prepare for your day in Court.
For six decades and counting, Martson Law Offices has offered a wide range of family law services to residents of Central Pennsylvania, including Cumberland County, Perry County, Juniata County, Adams County, Franklin County and the surrounding area. These services include:
Martson Law Offices has been serving clients in Central Pennsylvania for more than six decades. Our attorneys have the experience and knowledge you’d find at a big-city law firm, but we also have deep roots in the community and understands the legal issues facing our clients locally.
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