Armstrong County
Protection From Abuse Information
A victim of domestic violence may start the process to obtain a Protection From Abuse Order (PFA) by contacting HAVIN at (724) 548-8888. The hotline is open twenty-four hours daily. HAVIN provides free services to domestic violence and sexual assault victims. They will assist victims in obtaining a temporary PFA order. HAVIN has the forms that you will need to file for the temporary order pro se (without an attorney). If you are asking that the abuser be removed from the residence, you should have an attorney appear in Motion's Court to get the temporary order. Cases will be set for a hearing within ten days, and you should have an attorney represent you at the hearing.
If you choose to be represented by Laurel Legal Services, Inc., you must schedule an appointment. This appointment is intended to inform you of what to expect at the hearing, and also to gather any relevant information about your case. On the date of the hearing, your attorney will attempt to negotiate a consent to the PFA order. If a defendant consents it is not an admission of guilt, but it allows the parties to reach an agreement without a hearing. If the defendant agrees the PFA order will be granted. If the defendant does not wish to consent, then the matter will go before the court for a hearing. During a hearing the judge makes the decision whether to grant a final PFA order and the duration of the order. A PFA order may be issued for a maximum period of thirty-six months.
The Armstrong County Courthouse is located at:
500 Market Street
Kittanning, PA 16201
Telephone: (724) 548-3251 or (724) 548-3252