File for or defend against a Petition for an Order for Protection
Helping you make informed, intelligent decisions during difficult times.
Over the course of more than 31 years of legal practice, Philadelphia restraining order lawyer Douglas P. Earl has handled more than a thousand cases involving protection from abuse orders (PFAs). Whether you are the survivor of domestic violence or have been accused of domestic abuse, you can trust him to protect you and your rights.
At the Law Office of Douglas Earl LLC, we are in family court nearly every day of the week and have handled cases like yours many times over. We will do what it takes to help you through these difficult proceedings.
October 30, 2023: M.N.W. vs. D.G.M., Protection from Abuse – Douglas P. Earl, Esquire represents D.G.M. against a Protection from Abuse Petition filed by his ex-live in girlfriend M.N.W. Judge dismisses PFA petition. M.N.W. claimed that D.G.M. assaulted and intimidated her. She testified that she was afraid of D.G.M. Douglas P. Earl, Esquire was ready with a strong cross examination and defense. Ex-girlfriend had their six year old daughter testify. Two sisters of D.G.M. testified. One sister testified that she was on the phone with D.G.M. and overheard an argument but no threats or violence. The second sister testified that the six year old child of M.N.W. and D.G.M. went to her house after the argument for dinner and the child was fine.
June 28, 2023: B.B. vs. G.T., Protection from Abuse – Douglas P. Earl, Esquire represents B.B. in a Petition for Reconsideration of a Protection from Abuse Petition B.B. filed. The Court had dismissed the Protection from Abuse Petition of B.B. when B.B. represented himself. The Court in the Reconsideration with Mr. Earl representing B.B. granted a final Protection from Abuse Order against G.T. The Court was able to see evidence of text messages from G.T. to B.B. B.B. also testified.
September 15, 2022 – K.C. vs. V.G. Douglas P. Earl, Esquire represented K.C. in a Protection from Abuse Petition against V.G. Court heard testimony that K.C. was threatened and placed in fear of harm by V.G. K.C.’s Protection from Abuse Petition is granted after a contested hearing.
October 1, 2020 – Protection From Abuse petition filed by mother of client’s children is dismissed after a contested hearing. Mother claimed that my client the Father told her “He was going to whoop my ass.” Mother claimed that Father in the past had busted her lip, and pulled her hair. Mother testified that she was afraid of Father. Defense successful that Mother was trying to get an advantage in custody court, that there was no police involvement, medical care, and there was no text messages. V.D. vs. J.M., Case No. 2009V7199. Beware that a Protection From Abuse (PFA) Order or Restraining Order is often used to gain an advantage in Custody proceedings and/or also to have exclusive possession of a residence.
Beware that your spouse, girlfriend, boyfriend, partner may file a Petition for a Protection From Abuse Order or Restraining Order and the police may also arrest you for assault. If so you have to deal with your spouse, girlfriend, boyfriend, partner and being arrested. Douglas P. Earl can help you and be with you every step of the way.
What is a Protection from Abuse Order?
A Protection from Abuse (PFA) Order is the same thing as a restraining order. Under the Protection from Abuse Act, you have the right to go to court and ask a judge to grant a PFA order, which can set limits on the contact that the person who committed the acts of abuse can have with the person who requests the order. A PFA is a civil order, not a criminal order. The violation of a PFA is a criminal matter and could be addressed by the police and/or the District Attorney’s Office. The court order may include any of the following:
Stopping the abuser from further acts of abuse;
Evicting the abuser from your household;
Keeping the abuser from going to your home, school, or job;
Giving you or the other parent temporary custody of, or temporary visitation, with your child or children
Filing a Protection From Abuse Order
If you are the victim of domestic abuse, your safety is our number one priority. We have filed countless protection from abuse orders for survivors of family violence, such as spousal abuse or child abuse.
We will help you obtain a restraining order/PFA to prevent your spouse from coming in contact with you or your children. We represent clients who need temporary PFAs during divorce proceedings and individuals who need something more permanent.
Actual case – Douglas P. Earl, Esquire obtained a substantial settlement for parents whose child was molested at a birthday party.
Defending Against Protection From Abuse Orders
Actual Case – Douglas P. Earl, Esquire successfully defended father accused falsely accused by his ex-wife of molesting their three year old daughter.
If your spouse or significant other has filed — or has threatened to file — a PFA, a lot is at stake. You may face eviction from your home and time in jail. You may be separated from your children and your name may be put on a registry, creating a social stigma that is difficult to shake. All of this could happen, even if you are the innocent victim of false allegations or a spouse’s attempt to gain an edge in child custody.
The best defense against these serious allegations is an experienced Pennsylvania PFA defense lawyer. Douglas P. Earl is not only a family law attorney — he is also a criminal lawyer who understands both the civil and criminal implications of these domestic violence cases. He will investigate your case and work hard to prove that the allegations are false or otherwise unwarranted.
Douglas P. Earl is in court on a daily basis. He will prepare you. He will go over the allegations. Preparation includes going over direct examination, cross examination, witnesses, possible outcomes. There are two parts to a Protection From Abuse Petition. The first part is the claim about the most recent incident of claimed abuse. The second part is about allegations of past abuse.
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Contact an experienced Philadelphia restraining order lawyers today.