Earlier this fall, the state charged a 22-year-old man with a number of crimes, including attempted murder. These charges come after Wanyai Parker allegedly shot at two women, one of whom had an active Protection From Abuse Order (PFA) against him. Parker allegedly entered her apartment, confronted her and her sister with a handgun, and then grabbed both their cell phones. When the women tried to run, the defendant opened is alleged to have opened fire on them. After this incident, Parker supposedly hid the firearm and fled the scene.

What is a PFA

A PFA is a formal order that protects children or adults from physical or sexual abuse. To be granted a PFA, a victim must either be an adult member of a household or a guardian of a minor child in the household, and have a relationship with the abuser. The relationship can be either by marriage, bloodline, current or past intimate partners, or sharing the biological parentage of a child.

How a PFA Can Hurt a Defendant

A PFA is a necessity of the court system. It acts to protect victims or their children from being harmed in the future. In the article above, the victim had a PFA order on Parker, and he violated it. The PFA will increase the severity of his punishment because the court already notified Parker that his behavior was illegal and should not continue. Instead of abiding by the order, the defendant sought out the victim and not only violated it but performed another crime. In this instance, the PFA was clearly warranted.

But what if the PFA is sought, and won, under false and misleading pretenses? In that instance, the defendant would be subject to unfair sanctions. A PFA can inhibit a defendant from seeing or even raising their child, hurt their ability to work, or ruin their reputations unjustly. In addition, if a defendant is ever arrested on another charge, the PFA can sway the court by acting as proof of a history of destructive behavior history.

Why You Need a Criminal Attorney

If you are wrongfully accused of abuse, before a judge will confirm a Protection From Abuse Order, you will be allowed to advocate for yourself. Having an experienced criminal attorney by your side will ensure your rights are protected accordingly. Lawyers train for years to learn the nuances of the law and use this extensive knowledge to provide accurate and just defenses for their clients. Attorney Joseph D. Lento has been working for years to protect the accused from wrongful convictions by creating solid defenses on their behalf. He acts vigilantly to make sure the court is aware of your true nature and abilities.

A PFA order can affect your life in several ways, and whether or not you are guilty of the crime, you deserve a strong defense from a qualified attorney. Attorney Lento and the Lento Law Firm are here to help. Call 888-535-3686 to schedule a consultation today. Don't take a PFA case on alone.