Protection From Abuse (PFA) Information
WHAT IS A PROTECTION FROM ABUSE ORDER (PFA)?
A PFA is a civil order of the court available to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. It prohibits the offender from abusing, stalking, harassing, threatening or attempting to use physical force that would reasonably cause bodily injury to the victim.
WHO CAN OBTAIN A PFA ORDER?
- A spouse or former spouse of the offender
- A parent of a common child of the offender
- A current or former sexual or intimate partner with the offender
- A child of the victim
- A child of the offender
- A family member related by blood/marriage to the offender
- A sibling (person who shares biological parenthood) of the offender
- A current or former cohabitant (person who lives with) like a spouse
A temporary PFA Order is effective for 7-10 days until the court hearing on the Final Order is held. The Final PFA Order can be in effect for up to 3 years.
WHERE CAN A PFA BE FILED?
Filing of Petitions for Temporary PFA -
Monday-Friday 8:30am-4pm
(** excluding holidays and any day the Courthouse is closed)
Monroe County Courthouse
Monroe County Prothonotary
610 Monroe Street, Suite 323
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
Tel:(570) 517-3370
**Outside of the hours where Temporary PFA’s are considered at the Court of Common Pleas, Emergency PFA’s (which when issued are valid through the end of the next business day or, in the case of weekends or holidays, until the end of the next day that the Court of Common Pleas is open) may be issued by the Court-designated Duty Magisterial District Judge.