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York County Among Top PA Counties for Protection from Abuse Orders

Posted by Joseph Lento | Jan 27, 2025 | 0 Comments

A recent report from the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts highlights a concerning trend for those who experience domestic violence in Pennsylvania. The study shows that there has been a substantial increase in the number of Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders issued statewide--a 3 percent increase in new PFAs. York County, in particular, has seen a notable share of these filings, accounting for 4 percent of all new PFAs in Pennsylvania—ranking just behind the major urban centers of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

Despite the prolific number of PFAs being filed, obtaining legal protection from an abuser is easier said than done. The best way to secure a PFA in Pennsylvania (in York County and elsewhere) is with the help of the LLF Law Firm's Family Law Team. To schedule an appointment, call us at 888-535-3686 or use our online contact form.

What Is a PFA?

A PFA is a civil order in Pennsylvania intended to protect domestic violence victims from further abuse, harassment, or threats of violence. Its purpose is to provide immediate protection from those in danger, and it can remain in effect even if criminal charges are never filed against the abuser.

How a PFA Can Protect You

Once a PFA is in place, the state moves to provide strong legal protections for you (and/or your children) against a domestic abuser. Your abuser can be prohibited from contacting you in any way or even coming within a certain physical distance of you. The PFA can keep the abuser from returning home, and if necessary, it can temporarily restrict their custody or visitation rights pending a future custody hearing. The abuser may also be required to surrender any firearms. All of this occurs without your having to prove criminal wrongdoing—PFAs are civil orders, and the standard of proof is significantly lower than in criminal court.

York County's 4% share of all new PFAs statewide highlights how widely this legal tool is being utilized in the region. However, not all PFAs are filed with pure intentions. They can sometimes be used unfairly as a leverage tool in custody disputes or other relationship conflicts, or simply to wreak havoc on someone's life out of spite. It's worth noting that if you deliberately make false accusations in a PFA, you could face not only penalties in Family Court, but also potentially criminal charges.

How We Can Help

If you are suffering from domestic violence and need a PFA to protect you, you don't have to face this experience alone. The Family Law Team at the LLF Law Firm understands the high stakes involved, and we bring many years of experience to help Pennsylvania individuals receive the protection they need. Call the LLF Law Firm Team today at 888-535-3686 or use our online contact form.

About the Author

Joseph Lento

"I pride myself on having heart and driving hard to get results!" Attorney Joseph D. Lento is a veteran of one of the nation's busiest family courts with nearly 20 years' experience passionately helping families. By day, he worked in the trenches of family court, and at night, he studied the law. He helped countless families while working at family court, and he went on to become an attorney, dedicating his law practice to continuing the work he started years earlier. Mr. Lento's experience both behind the scenes and on the front lines allows him to understand a client's family law matter from all angles, and allows him to find and employ the most effective strategies to get favorable outcomes for any client. Joseph D. Lento is licensed in Pennsylvania New Jersey, and New York, and is admitted pro hac vice as needed nationwide. In the courtroom and in life, attorney Joseph D. Lento stands up when the bell rings!

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Contact a skilled Family Law Team Today!

The LLF Law Firm has unparalleled experience practicing Family Law in Pennsylvania. If you are having any uncertainties about what the future may hold for you and your family, contact our offices today. Our Family Law Team will go above and beyond the needs for any client and fight for what is fair.

This website was created only for general information purposes. It is not intended to be construed as legal advice for any situation. Only a direct consultation with a licensed Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York attorney can provide you with formal legal counsel based on the unique details surrounding your situation. The pages on this website may contain links and contact information for third party organizations - the Lento Law Firm does not necessarily endorse these organizations nor the materials contained on their website. In Pennsylvania, Attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout Pennsylvania's 67 counties, including, but not limited to Philadelphia, Allegheny, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Schuylkill, and York County. In New Jersey, attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout New Jersey's 21 counties: Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren County, In New York, Attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout New York's 62 counties. Outside of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, unless attorney Joseph D. Lento is admitted pro hac vice if needed, his assistance may not constitute legal advice or the practice of law. The decision to hire an attorney in Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania counties, New Jersey, New York, or nationwide should not be made solely on the strength of an advertisement. We invite you to contact the Lento Law Firm directly to inquire about our specific qualifications and experience. Communicating with the Lento Law Firm by email, phone, or fax does not create an attorney-client relationship. The Lento Law Firm will serve as your official legal counsel upon a formal agreement from both parties. Any information sent to the Lento Law Firm before an attorney-client relationship is made is done on a non-confidential basis.

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