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Contempt of a Protection From Abuse Order

Whenever an individual is accused or convicted of committing an act of domestic violence, the alleged victim of the crime may have a Protection from Abuse (PFA) order put in place against the alleged offender. If the PFA order is granted and the alleged offender does not abide by the guidelines of it, he or she can be charged with contempt of a PFA order, which could result in serious consequences.

Chester County Attorney for Violation of PFA Order Charges

For individuals facing charges for contempt of a protection from abuse order, having the team at Ciccarelli Law Offices fighting on your behalf can greatly impact the outcome of your case. Ciccarelli Law Offices approaches every case with the belief that a team of attorneys gives their clients the best opportunity to receive a successful outcome. With  locationsin Malvern, King of Prussia, Philadelphia, Lancaster, West Chester, Kennett Square, Plymouth Meeting, and Radnor, this team of qualified domestic violence lawyers are capable of serving clients anywhere in the greater Philadelphia region.

The attorneys at Ciccarelli Law Offices have the experience and dedication to aggressively defend you. Call us today at (610)692-8700 to set up a consultation with our team of attorneys so that they can get started on crafting your defense.

Overview on Contempt of a PFA Order in Pennsylvania

Terms of a PFA Order

In Chester County, a PFA can prevent the alleged offender from:

  • Calling the alleged victim
  • Communicating with the victim electronically (text, email, social media)
  • Coming to the victim’s home
  • Coming to the victim’s job
  • Contacting the victim’s friends and family

Along with the restrictions mentioned above, the alleged offender may also be temporarily unable to visit his or her children, lose his or her right to possess or purchase a firearm, and any other appropriate restrictions at the judge’s discretion.

Punishment for Being in Contempt of a PFA Order

When an individual attempts to have a PFA order put in place, the alleged offender can request a hearing to determine whether or not the PFA order should be granted. Although this hearing is held in a criminal court, the burden of proof is similar to that of a civil case.  At the hearing, both sides can be represented by an attorney, who will present arguments on why the order should or shouldn’t be granted. In order for the judge to grant a protection order, the individual seeking protection must prove that there is beyond a 50% probability that continued abuse or harassment will occur if the order is not granted.

If the order is granted, the individual will have to abide by the limitations and guidelines set forth by the judge. If the order is violated in anyway, the alleged offender can be charged with contempt, and be sentenced to up to six months in jail, and/or be ordered to pay a fine of $1,000. A violation of the PFA order can also result in an extension of the original order.

Defending Clients Accused of Violating a Protective Order in Chester County

If you have been arrested for violating a PFA order in and around the cities of Downington, Exton, Newton Square, Southeastern Pennsylvania, Norristown, Coatesville, or Willow Street, contact Ciccarelli Law Offices. With a dedicated team of defense lawyers in your corner, it is possible to come out of this situation without having your life and reputation destroyed.

In order to avoid the penalties associated with your alleged offense, contact us today at (610) 692-8700. We take a team approach to every case, and when developing a defense strategy, we are committed to having our clients involved in every step of the process.

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