What to Expect at My PFA Hearing
If you’ve filed for a Protection from Abuse order (PFA) in Pennsylvania, the court will schedule a hearing for you and the defendant listed on your PFA. It’s crucial that you attend this hearing and present your side of the story if you want to continue having legal protection. When you first file a PFA, it’s only temporary. The hearing determines if it will become a final PFA or if it gets dismissed altogether.
Showing up for this PFA hearing is important, but you should also be prepared. This hearing is likely very nerve-wracking for you, so knowing what to expect can help put you at ease. You can also hire the LLF Law Firm’s Family Law Team to represent you at the hearing, so you don’t have to worry about building a defense or presenting your case in front of your abuser.
We help victims of domestic violence file for PFA orders throughout Pennsylvania, and we’re ready to help you get the protection you need. Call 888-535-3686 or fill out our consultation form so we can get started.
When You Arrive at the Courthouse
Once the court schedules your hearing, you should receive a notice with the time and date. However, multiple cases get scheduled for the same day, so expect to spend the entire day at the courthouse. You and the defendant shouldn’t have to wait in the same waiting area.
When you go into the courtroom, you and the defendant (and your attorneys) will be seated at separate tables. You’ll have to be sworn in and you may have to remain standing whenever the judge is speaking.
Hearing Procedures and What to Expect
You’ll be asked to present your case first. Then, the defendant will present theirs after. Your attorney will present any evidence related to the case and ask you to testify. The defendant is allowed to cross-examine you, meaning they can ask you questions after your testimony. After you testify, your witnesses will also be called to speak and the defendant can cross-examine them as well.
When you’re done presenting your case, the defendant does the same. You and your attorney will also have the chance to cross-examine the defendant and any of their witnesses. Once the defendant has finished presenting, you can also present rebuttal testimony.
At PFA hearings, the plaintiff has the burden proof. You have to convince the judge that there is a greater than 50% chance that the abuse allegation is true. You and your attorney will use evidence you’ve gathered, witness statements, and other documentation to prove that domestic violence occurred.
The LLF Law Firm can handle all aspects of the final PFA hearing for you, including presenting your evidence and questioning witnesses. Our Family Law Team will also help you prepare in advance—and you usually don’t have much time between the temporary PFA order and the final PFA hearing. It’s crucial to contact our team as soon as you seek protection from your abuser.
We understand that dealing with a PFA can be overwhelming for you, and our Family Law Team is here to help. Call 888-535-3686 or send us your information on our confidential contact form.