PFA Temporary Order Process in Allegheny County

Emergency Protection Issued Without the Alleged Abuser Present

A temporary PFA order is an emergency protection order issued ex parte, meaning only the person seeking protection appears before the judge. The alleged abuser is not present, does not receive advance notice, and cannot defend against the allegations at this stage. The temporary order provides immediate protection while waiting for the final hearing where both parties can present evidence.

Temporary orders remain in effect until the final PFA hearing, held within ten business days of the petition's filing.

Where to Go and What to Expect

During Family Court Hours

Temporary PFA petitions are filed at the Family Court, 440 Ross Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, third floor PFA Department. Filing hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Upon arriving, you fill out a petition describing the specific acts of abuse, stalking, harassment, threats, or physical force. Victim advocates are present to assist with completing the forms. You then wait to appear before a judge who reviews the petition and decides whether to grant the temporary order.

There is no filing fee or other cost to obtain a PFA.

After Family Court Hours: Emergency PFA

When you need protection after Family Court has closed, Emergency PFAs are available through Magisterial District Courts during their business hours and through Pittsburgh Municipal Court at 660 First Avenue. An Emergency PFA provides protection until close of business on the day the Family Court PFA Department reopens, at which point the full temporary PFA process at Family Court must be completed to extend protection.

The Allegheny County domestic violence hotline can also assist with emergency resources.

The Protections a Temporary PFA Provides

No-Contact Provision

The order may prohibit the alleged abuser from all direct and indirect contact with you, including phone calls, texts, emails, social media, and contact through third parties. This applies immediately upon service of the temporary order.

Eviction from the Residence

The order may evict the alleged abuser from the shared residence. That relief is available where the parties jointly own or lease the home or the plaintiff alone owns or leases it. A respondent who is the sole owner or lessee may be evicted only where the respondent has a duty to support the plaintiff or minor children living in the residence. An evicted respondent is excluded from the property until the final hearing. A police escort can be arranged at a later date for the respondent to retrieve personal belongings under supervision.

Temporary Custody

The court can award temporary custody of minor children to the plaintiff as part of the PFA. The respondent's contact with the children may be suspended or restricted to supervised visitation until the final hearing.

Firearm Relinquishment

The court may order the respondent to relinquish firearms where the petition demonstrates abuse involving a firearm or other weapon, or an immediate and present danger of abuse. Its terms set where and when relinquishment occurs, whether to the sheriff, to the appropriate law enforcement agency, or to a qualified third party for safekeeping. A respondent served with such an order must comply with it exactly.

The Respondent Is Served

The Sheriff's Department serves the respondent with the temporary order and notice of the final hearing. The order is effective immediately upon service. The respondent is now aware of the allegations, the restrictions, and the hearing date. Even one phone call, one text message, or one drive-by of the protected address after service is a violation of the temporary order and exposes the respondent to immediate arrest for indirect criminal contempt and up to six months in jail.