Westmoreland County PFA Lawyer
Spivak Law Firm Wins More Awards
The award-winning Spivak Law Firm received multiple honors this month for providing superior legal services and client satisfaction.
The Pittsburgh-based firm handles all areas of family law and criminal defense with a special focus on Protection from Abuse (PFA) hearings and high-conflict child custody cases.
Our award-winning attorneys have helped hundreds of people accused of physical abuse, harassment, stalking, sexual abuse, child abuse, and other forms of domestic abuse.
In many cases, we get the PFA and related criminal charges dismissed then expunge our client’s records so they can fully move on with their lives.
We handle the following family law cases: divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, Children Youth and Families (CYF), and Protection From Abuse (PFA).
We routinely defend people criminally charged with: domestic violence, driving under the influence (DUI), simple assault, aggravated assault, harassment, recklessly endangering another person, stalking, disorderly conduct, retail theft and various other misdemeanors and summary offenses.
This month, Attorney Todd Spivak was honored again by American Institute of Family Law Attorneys and designated a Super Lawyer.
Attorney Rebecca Canterbury was named a Top 10 Family Law Attorney by Attorney and Practice Magazine and received a 10.0 rating on the Avvo legal directory, where clients routinely sing her praises as a strong, compassionate advocate who gets results.
To speak with an experienced family law or criminal defense attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
PFA Orders Destroy Reputations
Under Pennsylvania law, anybody can file a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order against a lover or family member accusing them of harassment, physical violence, or other forms of domestic abuse.
In Pittsburgh and surrounding areas, judges grant more than 90 percent of Temporary PFA petitions, leading to a formal hearing within about 10 days.
Many people served with Temporary PFA Orders make the mistake of attending the hearing without an attorney. They often get pressured into signing orders that will hurt them later in life.
Even worse, they may lose at trial against an experienced attorney, resulting in a Final PFA Order that lasts up to three years and forever tarnishes their reputation as an abusive person.
Don’t let this happen to you.
At Spivak Law Firm, we provide strong, aggressive representation at PFA hearings in Pittsburgh and all surrounding counties, including: Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington, and Westmoreland.
To schedule a free consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Served With A Bogus PFA?
Have you been served with a bogus PFA?
Do the allegations include exaggerations, misrepresentations, or outright lies?
You’re not alone. It is commonly known among family-law judges and attorneys that some people claim they were harassed or physically abused in order to gain leverage in divorce or child custody disputes.
Some people will lie on PFA petitions just to evict you from your home or damage your reputation.
If you’ve been served with a bogus PFA, we strongly recommend calling Spivak Law Firm. We provide strong, aggressive reputation at PFA hearings to preserve your rights and reputation.
Call us for a free consultation at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
PFA and Divorce in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania legislature is considering a controversial bill to restrict sexual abusers from seeking alimony or even equitable distribution under the divorce code.
Alimony refers to the receipt of payments from a former spouse after the divorce has been finalized. Equitable distribution refers to the formal process for dividing marital property.
Spivak Law Firm strongly objects to the bill, which does not make clear whether a criminal conviction is required for the exceptions to apply.
The bill’s definition of “abuse” references the Protection From Abuse (PFA) statute. As a result, individuals with a PFA Order entered against them would be barred from receiving alimony or equitable distribution, leading to further abuse of the PFA system.
Spivak Law Firm provides strong, compassionate, cost-effective representation in all family law matters, including: divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, and PFA. Call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
PFA Orders and Police Officers
Pittsburgh police must keep statistics for officers involved in criminal domestic violence incidents and Protection From Abuse (Orders).
The mere accusation of abuse against a law-enforcement official can be devastating.
PFA Orders frequently restrict defendants from possessing firearms. Because police officers are required to possess a firearm as part of their job, a PFA may result in suspension or even termination.
Spivak Law Firm has successfully defended police officers at the federal, state, and local levels against accusations of abuse. For a free consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
PFA Orders Restrict All Contact
If you’re served with a Protection From Abuse (PFA) Order, take it seriously. A PFA can evict you from your home and restrict you from your child. If you’re even accused of violating the order, you may face criminal charges and spend a night or two in jail.
At Spivak Law Firm, we’ve helped hundreds of people facing allegations of domestic abuse. If you’re served with a PFA, we urge you to follow the order by having no contact with the person who obtained the PFA against you. Even friendly communication could lead to criminal charges.
Do not call, text, or email your accuser. Do not contact your accuser via social media. If you see your accuser in public while the PFA remains active, leave the area immediately. Direct family members and friends that they cannot intervene on your behalf to mediate the dispute. Otherwise, you may be arrested based on third-party contact.
Spivak Law Firm provides strong, aggressive representation at PFA hearings in Pittsburgh and all surrounding counties, including: Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Indiana, Washington, and Westmoreland. For a free consultation with an experienced PFA attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Disorderly Conduct Penalties In Pennsylvania
Disorderly conduct is generally charged as a summary offense, though it may be graded as a more serious third-degree misdemeanor under certain conditions in Pennsylvania.
Disorderly conduct is a third-degree misdemeanor when:
- The defendant intends to cause “substantial” harm;
- The defendant intends to cause “serious” inconvenience; or
- The defendant “persists” in disorderly conduct after reasonable warning to stop.
Penalties for a summary offense include a maximum of 90 days in jail, whereas penalties for a third-degree misdemeanor offense include a maximum of one year in jail.
Under Pennslylvania law, only summary offenses can be expunged after five years, though third-degree misdemeanors may be eligible for sealing after 10 years.
To speak with an experienced criminal defense and expungement attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Charged With Simple Assault?
Under Pennsylvania law, you may be criminally charged with simple assault not only for hitting somebody. You may also face simple assault charges merely for scaring them.
Simple assault is a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in jail. It’s a charge commonly brought by police when there are allegations of domestic violence.
If you’re accused of getting into a bar fight, you’ll likely be charged with simple assault.
If you’re accused of hitting your spouse, you’ll likely be charged with simple assault.
The law additionally provides that a person is guilty of simple assault for attempting to put a person “in fear of imminent serious bodily injury.”
Thus, threatening a person with a weapon may result in simple assault charges even if there was no physical harm.
Spivak Law Firm provides strong, aggressive defense in all criminal matters. For a free consultation, call us at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day From Spivak Law Firm
St. Patrick’s Day is a great time to enjoy family and friends. The parade in downtown Pittsburgh is one of the largest in the entire country. Bars on the Southside, Oakland, Lawrenceville and across the city offer drink deals to attract patrons out having fun.
Unfortunately, the night does not end well for everybody.
Each year, Spivak Law Firm helps people who face legal problems related to their behavior on St. Patrick’s Day.
We have successfully represented people facing criminal charges such as: public intoxication, disorderly conduct, public urination, underage drinking, simple assault, and drunk driving.
We have helped hundreds of people facing allegations of criminal domestic-violence and Protection From Abuse (PFA) orders.
At Spivak Law Firm, we handle all matters involving criminal defense and family law.
We wish everybody a happy, safe time on St. Patrick’s Day. But if you or a family member or friend needs legal help, we encourage you to call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
What Is Disorderly Conduct?
Under Pennsylvania law, disorderly conduct is a criminal charge defined broadly as causing a public inconvenience. Disorderly conduct may involve:
- People fighting or threatening one another (like in a bar fight);
- Being too noisy (like neighbors having a loud party); or
- Using obscene language or making an obscene gesture;
As you can see, disorderly conduct covers a wide range of activities. The law includes an additional provision stating that disorderly conduct may involve creating a hazardous condition “by any act which serves no legitimate purpose.”
Disorderly conduct is generally charged as a summary offense, though it may be graded as a more serious third-degree misdemeanor under certain conditions.
To speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.