Waynesburg Domestic Violence Protective Order Defense Lawyer

Fighting for the Accused in Greene County & Throughout Pennsylvania

Domestic Violence Protective Orders (DVPOs) are court orders in Pennsylvania designed to protect individuals and their family members from alleged abuse by partners, relatives, or other household members. Often referred to as “restraining orders,” these can be issued on an emergency (temporary) basis or for a longer term. An emergency DVPO can be granted by a judge based solely on the accuser’s statements, without any physical evidence or your side of the story being heard.

Being named in a DVPO can have severe consequences for your life. It can damage your reputation, restrict your personal freedoms and rights, and lead to significant legal fees and financial strain. Furthermore, a DVPO will appear on background checks, potentially affecting your future job prospects, housing applications, and other opportunities. Violating any term of the order can lead to criminal charges. At Mountaineer Criminal Law Group, our team provides the robust defense you need to challenge accusations that might be false, inflated, misleading, or used to gain an advantage in divorce or custody disputes. A qualified Waynesburg criminal lawyer can help you navigate this complex process.

Serious Consequences of a DVPO in Pennsylvania

The rules governing DVPOs are outlined by the Pennsylvania Judiciary. Both emergency and permanent DVPOs can lead to significant penalties, including:

• Prohibiting you from all forms of contact with your accuser, including phone calls, text messages, emails, letters, or communication through another person. This ban may also extend to any children covered by the DVPO.
• Forcing you to vacate a shared home.
• Removing your child custody and visitation rights for the duration of the order.
• Ordering you to pay child support and/or spousal support while the order is in effect.
• Requiring you to stay away from your accuser’s workplace or your children’s school or daycare.
• Mandating your participation in an intervention program.
• Forbidding you from possessing any firearms.
• Ordering you to reimburse the accuser for reasonable expenses, such as medical treatment, shelter costs, or counseling fees.

A Waynesburg DUI attorney understands how legal orders can impact your rights. These protective orders can be issued for various lengths of time, such as 90 or 180 days, one year, or even longer, depending on the specifics of the case. Even if a temporary order has been issued against you based only on the accuser’s claims, you have the right to defend yourself at a subsequent hearing. This hearing is held to decide whether the order should be extended for a more permanent duration.

Fighting a DVPO in Court

To effectively challenge the accusations made against you in a DVPO court hearing, you must present the court with compelling evidence that refutes the claims made by your accuser. Our Waynesburg criminal lawyer is skilled at helping you gather evidence that can be presented on your behalf. This evidence might include testimony from witnesses or other individuals who have information that casts doubt on the accuser’s story. It can also encompass evidence like text messages, emails, phone records, or other forms of material or physical proof that support your case. We will utilize every available legal strategy to safeguard your legal and parental rights and tirelessly advocate for your best interests.

Book a free case evaluation with our Waynesburg DUI attorney online or by calling Mountaineer Criminal Law Group at (304) 381-3656.