Domestic violence is a complex area of the law. Many times, domestic violence charges arise from complicated scenarios, and not every person who is involved has their story told. Even so, the court often allows a person to take strong and swift action against an alleged perpetrator of domestic violence. One measure that the courts offer is a Protection From Abuse Order, or as it is sometimes known, a PFA Order. These are court orders enforced by a judge's approval that a plaintiff can order if they claim to be a victim of abuse.
What is a PFA Order?
A PFA order is an order that is issued by the court in the event of a domestic violence incident. There are two types of these orders. The first is an emergency PFA order. An emergency PFA order is issued by an on-call judge in cases where the judge believes that a person is a severe danger. Emergency PFA orders are temporary and require an additional hearing to be made final. A judge can also issue an Ex Parte order, which is a PFA order that is issued without the defendant present. These are also temporary. In either case, the defendant must be notified of the order and will be given time to prepare for a final hearing to determine whether or not the order will be made final. A PFA can become final after a hearing where both plaintiff and defendant may present their respective arguments and evidence to a judge.
Professional Licensing and PFA Orders
PFA orders can have a strong effect on a person's life that can lead to much difficulty. A PFA can affect a person's livelihood beyond interfering with their day to day activity. If a person holds a professional or state license for their career, a PFA order filed against them can have drastic effects. PFA orders can be particularly troublesome for individuals in careers in the law, medical field, education, or another field that requires state approval to work in.
Many state licensing authorities will take action against a person's license in the event that they face a PFA or criminal charges. Some of these authorities may only take action in the result of a conviction. In either case, a PFA places a professionally licensed individual in a precarious situation. This can become incredibly troublesome for any individuals facing the imposition of a final PFA against them. If a PFA is made final, the defendant's ability to engage in day to day activities can become hindered, and certain actions they take may qualify as a crime, which may endanger their status as a licensee by the state's authority.
Greater Philadelphia Area Defense Attorney
When a person is notified that they are going to be facing a final PFA against them, they may be unsure where to turn. A final PFA can affect a person's status and career and have many more effects on their life across other aspects of the law, such as family law arrangements for custody and support. Violations of a PFA can lead to criminal charges, and many times, PFA orders can become very restrictive. The person who is the subject of a PFA order may find themselves in danger of committing a crime merely by partaking in their usual day to day activity. An attorney can help a person defend against the placement of the PFA gainst them as well as any criminal charges they may face.
If you or a loved one is facing a PFA or related criminal charges in the Greater Philadelphia area, contact the LLF Law Firm today.
