Find a Lawyer to Help You File a Protection From Abuse Order in State College, PA

A Protection From Abuse order, or PFA, guards a person and/or their children from abusers. It lists things an abuser must do or is restricted from doing in regard to the victim. If you or your children are experiencing abuse, the criminal defense attorneys at Masorti Law Group, PC in State College, PA can help you file a PFA order.

The abuser must follow the PFA order or risk serious legal consequences. Your PFA order can keep your abuser from threatening, abusing or stalking you or your children. It can also force the abuser to leave the home or return a pet, car keys or other personal property.

Our attorneys can help you draft a PFA order that has the best chance of obtaining a judge’s approval. Call us now to find out if a PFA order is the best option for you.

Any employer may look unfavorably upon a domestic violence conviction. However, certain fields are particularly sensitive to the criminal records of their employees.
In Pennsylvania, education statutes require criminal history reporting by all employees of public and private schools. The statutes also list specific crimes that prohibit school employment. Crimes that are not listed can still prevent an employee from getting a fingerprint clearance card. Due to the sensitive nature of domestic violence, educational employers are particularly sensitive to even misdemeanor offenses.
Law enforcement officers are also highly likely to be made unemployable by a domestic violence conviction. This is due to the federal Brady Act, which became effective across the U.S. in 1994. The Brady Act:

• Prevents gun ownership by anyone who has been convicted of an act of domestic violence.
• Defines “Domestic violence” It does not rely upon a state’s classification of a crime.
• Applies to both misdemeanors and felonies.
• Imposes the ban for life.
• Cannot be expunged, reversed, or otherwise challenged.

• Military or law enforcement will be prohibited from carrying a firearm, thus unable to work.
• No matter the career, a criminal accusation can follow respondent for the rest of his life. Regarding civil repercussions, a PFA will make divorce proceedings an even greater uphill battle.
• Exclusion from residence
• Temporary possession of marital residence, temporary custody, and temporary child support can be awarded to spouse.
• Violation of the PFA can lead to the criminal charge of Indirect Criminal Contempt being filed, which can result in incarceration for up to six months, along with other appropriate relief determined by the Court.
• If you did not commit an abusive act as defined previously in section 6102 of the PFA statute, then think long and hard before voluntarily consenting to having a PFA entered against you because it can lead to criminal charges, fines and incarceration. Individuals sharing custody of a minor child need to be especially careful of the criminal consequences that can result after entry of a PFA.
• PFAs give the Court the power to, among other things, remove the respondent from home; enter an Order for custody; and confiscate the firearms of the respondent.
• If found guilty of contempt of a PFA Order, respondent can be charged with indirect criminal contempt, and the Court can Order fines up to $1,000.00, and up to six months in jail, and/or probation. Violation of a temporary PFA that is pending final hearing carries the same potential punishment of violating a final Order.
• Serious criminal penalties could result.
• Prohibited from entering your home.
• Could lose custody of children.
• Loss of driving privileges, security clearance, and employment.