PFA Violations
10 Tips for PFA Defendants to Avoid Arrest
Violating a PFA can result in criminal charges with a maximum punishment of six months in jail. Here are 10 tips for helping PFA defendants avoid criminal penalties:
- Do not drive past the plaintiff’s residence.
- Avoid all places where you know the plaintiff goes.
- Leave a restaurant, grocery, or any other place if you realize the plaintiff is there.
- Hang up the phone immediately if the plaintiff calls you.
- Do not send emails, texts, letters, faxes, or gifts to the plaintiff.
- Do not respond to emails, texts, letters, faxes, or gifts from the plaintiff.
- Avoid contact with the plaintiff’s family, friends, and neighbors.
- Do not get into arguments or confrontations with the plaintiff’s family or friends – walk away!
- If the plaintiff comes to your house, do not let the plaintiff inside – don’t open the door!
- Retain an experienced PFA defense attorney.
To speak with an experienced PFA defense attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or (800) 545-9390.
PFA Defense: We Aim To Get the PFA Dropped
At Spivak Law Firm, we strongly defend people who are served with PFA restraining orders. We represent people who are accused of harassment, stalking, verbal threats, and physical abuse. In most cases, we get the PFA dropped.
Sometimes people ask us why we strongly defend people accused of abuse.
First, we know that many of our clients are falsely accused. People frequently misuse the PFA system to gain leverage in a divorce or child custody matter. We take great pride in protecting our clients’ reputations and legal rights against false accusations.
Second, in some cases, our clients may have engaged in inappropriate behavior that they regret. They did not physically hurt or beat anybody. But they got angry and made threats. Or they kept texting when their partner told them to stop.
These people may have crossed some line, as many people do at times. But their actions did not rise to the level of a PFA. We help these people get the PFA dropped so they can move on with their lives.
Third, in rare cases, our clients may be guilty of serious domestic violence. Such behavior is reprehensible, of course. But we believe that every person accused of legal wrongdoing is entitled to a strong defense.
In these cases, a PFA may be granted. But we are still able to help our clients by protecting their legal rights and mitigating the duration of the PFA.
If you’ve been served with a PFA, we will strongly defend you. Call us at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.