According to a CBS 21 News article, Kahliek Woods, 20, broke into his ex-girlfriend's house and stole her cat, Yukki, on April 30. While he had Yukki, Woods continued to harass and threaten his ex-girlfriend, even going as far as to imply that he had already killed the cat.

Thankfully, Yukki was returned to her owner after a few days. Yukki's owner was able to obtain a Protection From Abuse (PFA) Order against Woods as a result of his behavior. Though the facts of this situation may be a bit unusual, PFA Orders are a common and vital way for many people to protect themselves from threatening or harmful behavior by another person.

What Is a PFA Order?

A PFA is a type of restraining order that protects someone from abuse by a family member, member of their household, or past or current intimate partner. It lays out rules for that person's behavior. Common stipulations include not contacting the person who files for the order (or, in some cases, a minor child), staying a certain distance away from them, or reimbursing them for expenses related to the abuse. The alleged abuser must abide by the provisions of the order or face criminal charges that may carry a penalty of jail time or monetary fines.

Judges understand that PFAs are sometimes needed to handle immediate, potentially dangerous situations, so the process of obtaining one can happen very quickly when needed. In the situation with Yukki the cat's owner, she was able to quickly obtain a PFA to prohibit Woods from contacting her again. A temporary PFA can even be in effect without the alleged abuser being present in court, as it was in this case.

Violations of PFAs

Depending on the specifics of the PFA, different types of conduct may count as violations of these orders. Hence, if someone has a PFA against you, it is vital to read and clearly understand the order and follow it closely. You may wish to contact the LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team if you have questions about what a PFA requires you to do. In the example of Yukki's owner, if she had had the same PFA in effect before Woods took her cat, his actions would have constituted a violation of the order because he was contacting her—which was against the rules laid out in the PFA. Courts often take violations of PFAs seriously and will impose punishments for them, so it is important to follow these orders to the letter.

Contact LLF Law Firm for Assistance with PFA Orders

Having strong legal representation can make a huge difference when you go to court for a PFA Order, whether you are a victim of abuse or you have been accused of abusive conduct. You need a strong advocate on your side to ensure the court understands your side of the story.  The LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team have years of experience helping victims get the protection they need in abusive situations. Contact the LLF Law Firm today or call 888.535.3686 to set up a consultation.