Having a Protection From Abuse order entered against you in Pennsylvania can affect you in various ways. From a basic standpoint, if there's a PFA order in place, you would not be able to have any contact with the plaintiff, either directly or through third parties, that's in person or otherwise. You could be evicted from your home or your apartment. If there's a child or children involved, you may not be able to see your child or children or your custody rights could be affected through the PFA. If you have firearms, they would have to be surrendered. That could affect your employment in terms of different aspects of a person's life that can be impacted by having a PFA ordered issued against them.
The PFA can affect a person's employment or employment opportunities. It is a civil court record, so an employment can access such a record and if the employer were to have concerns as to the nature of the PFA or anything related, could potentially take action. If you're a college student, for example, depending on the terms of the PFA, it could affect your ability to be in class. It could affect people in various ways.
Once a PFA is issued, the prospect of being charged with indirect criminal contempt or even, say, civil contempt is arguably higher just due to the dynamics involved of a Final PFA order versus a Temporary PFA. Very much is at stake with respect to a person's life in various ways. Having an experienced PFA attorney in your corner from as early as possible in the process will help you best understand and navigate the process.
