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In order to obtain a Protective Order against future acts of violence
or if you are in fear that violence may occur, you
may request a Protective Order against the abuser by contacting
an attorney, SafeNet at 455-1774, or by going to
the Office of the Protection From Abuse Coordinator located on
the second floor of the Erie County Courthouse at 140 West 6th Street.
To file a Plea through the Protection From Abuse office you must
be there no later than 11:00 a.m. The Coordinator
will help you prepare a Petition and make immediate arrangements
to present the Petition to a Judge. The process will
take approximately one hour. The Coordinator will also be available
to assist you with any general questions or inquiries between the hours of
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
If you believe that you need an immediate Protection From Abuse
Order in the evenings or on weekends, you should contact
the Magisterial District Judge of your area to obtain a Temporary
Order of Protection and to possibly remove the abuser from the residence.
Any Temporary Protection From Abuse Order entered by a Judge or
Magisterial District Judge is valid for a maximum
of ten (10) days. A hearing will be held at the Courthouse within
that ten-day period so that a Judge may determine
if the Temporary Order should be made final and extended for a
period of up to 18 months.
Once a Protection From Abuse Order is obtained - either Temporary
or Final - a defendant violating the Order is subject
to severe penalties including a possible fine and possible jail
sentence for up to six months.
If the defendant should violate the Protection From Abuse Order
- either Temporary or Final - you should immediately
contact the police. If the police believe that the defendant violated
the Order, they may arrest the defendant immediately
and take the defendant before a Magisterial District Judge for
disposition until a contempt hearing is scheduled before a Judge.
If you need an attorney and don't have one, the Lawyer Referral and Information Service can help.
Call Us Monday - Friday from 8:30 AM - Noon and 1:15 PM - 3:00 PM
at (814) 459-4411. |
