PFA Orders

Arrested For Domestic Abuse?

Posted on January 9 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Q: Police did not witness any physical abuse – so why was I arrested?

A: An allegation of domestic violence by itself can trigger an arrest. Police do not have to witness the incident of abuse. A police officer often makes an arrest decision based solely on the accuser’s credibility without any further investigation. If the alleged victim has any visible marks or injuries, police are likely to make an arrest.

Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law with a special focus on domestic violence and Protection From Abuse (PFA). We handle PFA hearings and expungements, as well as criminal domestic violence charges and child custody matters. If you have been accused of violating a no-contact order, call us at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Child Custody and Emotional Abuse

Posted on December 26 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Ending a physically or emotionally abusive relationship doesn’t always end the abuse, especially when children are involved. You still have to see your ex-spouse to arrange for custody exchanges, holidays, etc.

If your ex-spouse continues to engage in controlling or manipulative behavior, consider limiting your communications to text or email. This can both reduce the level of conflict between the two of you, and allow you to document evidence of your ex’s inability to work together.

To speak with an experienced child custody attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

No Guns for Domestic Abusers

Posted on December 19 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

If you have been charged with a domestic violence related crime, your gun ownership rights may be at stake.

Under federal law, if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor involving domestic abuse, you are banned from purchasing or owning firearms or ammunition. The law aims to protect victims of domestic abuse by keeping guns out of the hands of convicted abusers.

Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court expanded the applicability of this law in Voisine v. United States. The Court ruled that the law applies not only to individuals who intentionally committed domestic abuse, but also to individuals who did so recklessly.

If you have been charged with assault, harassment, terroristic threats, or any other domestic violence related crime, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Don’t Let A PFA Ruin Your Life

Posted on December 4 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

A PFA is a court order that aims to protect victims of domestic violence. A PFA can:

Restrict you from contacting the accuser;
Evict you from your home;
Award the accuser temporary custody of your children;
Require you to pay child support; and
Send you to jail if you are even accused of violating it.

Don’t make the mistake of blindly accepting a PFA. The consequences of a PFA are harsh and long-lasting, as a PFA can remain in effect for up to three years.

Spivak Law Firm provides aggressive representation for plaintiffs and defendants in domestic violence cases, including Protection From Abuse (PFA), Children Youth and Families (CYF), and criminal domestic violence. To schedule a free consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

NFL and Domestic Abuse

Posted on November 8 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

An advocacy group is urging the Cincinnati Bengals to speak out against domestic violence after the team drafted a player who punched a woman in the face.

The Bengals are not the only team receiving backlash. In the 2017 NFL Draft, at least a half-dozen players who have been accused of physical or sexual assaults were welcomed to the NFL.

By ignoring these issues, the NFL encourages the cycle of violence and undermines the importance of protecting domestic-abuse victims, according to the group.

Spivak Law Firm helps victims of domestic violence get the legal protections they need at Protection From Abuse (PFA) hearings and by working with prosecutors on criminal domestic-violence cases. To schedule a consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 ortoll free at (800) 545-9390.

PFA Consequences

Posted on November 7 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Because courts overwhelmingly grant Protection From Abuse (PFA) orders, the system itself is frequently abused by people seeking leverage in divorce and child-custody actions.

In fact, the mere accusation of abuse can devastate a person’s life and reputation.

In Pennsylvania, a PFA can:

Evict you from your home;
Take away your firearms;
Appear on your permanent record;
Prevent you from seeing your children; and
Result in serious criminal charges.

Spivak Law Firm provides strong, aggressive defense at PFA hearings. We have successfully defended many people whose careers were at risk, including; police officers, corrections officers, homeland-security officers, teachers, and nurses.

Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law and criminal defense with a special focus on domestic violence and Protection From Abuse (PFA). Call us at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

PFA and Same-Sex Couples

Posted on October 31 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

In May, Louisiana lawmakers voted to remove the requirement that a victim be of the opposite sex of the alleged offender to be considered a victim of domestic violence.

Representative Patrick Connick, the author of the bill, has argued that because the U.S. Supreme Court has legalized gay marriage, same-sex couples should be receiving equal protection under the law.

In Louisiana, a person charged with committing domestic violence is held for 72 hours, in part to allow the victim to find a safe place to stay to escape further abuse. LGBT victims haven’t had that protection, which already puts them at risk.

Domestic Violence Defense

Posted on October 24 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Were you defending yourself from an aggressor and charged with a domestic-violence crime? This may seem unjust, but it happens routinely. Police officers responding to domestic violence incidents generally make arrests if they observe injuries on the other party.

Spivak Law Firm routinely helps those accused of domestic-violence crimes by providing strong, effective representation. Common domestic-violence crimes include:

Simple Assault
Aggravated Assault
Harassment
Stalking
Terroristic Threats
Recklessly Endangering Another Person

To speak with an experienced domestic-violence defense attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

PFA Orders in Pennsylvania

Posted on October 23 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Q: What can a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order do?

A: In Pennsylvania, a Protection From Abuse Order can provide many protections, including:

Making the abuser leave the home.
Ordering the abuser to pay child support.
Prohibiting the abuser from contacting the victim.
Forcing the abuser to relinquish any firearms.

A PFA, also known as a restraining order, is a powerful tool to curb domestic violence.

Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law with a special focus on domestic violence and Protection From Abuse (PFA). Call us at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

PFA May Carry Financial Penalties

Posted on October 17 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

A Protection from Abuse (PFA) Order is a powerful tool for restricting the rights of the accused. In addition to prohibiting contact with the victim, the Court may order the abuser to pay for reasonable losses suffered by the victim, including: medical, dental, relocation, and counseling expenses. The court may also order the defendant to pay for ongoing financial needs such as health insurance and mortgage payments.

If you have filed, or have been served with a PFA, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.