Domestic Violence
Representing victims
Sigmon & Sigmon, P.C. represents victims of the devastating crime of domestic violence. We meet with our clients as soon as possible after they have contacted us about an abusive situation, even if they call in the evening or over a weekend. These situations are dangerous and must be resolved quickly for our clients' safety. We meet in our office to gather the facts. In some cases the meeting is in courthouse. When there are children involved, their safety and protection is a priority.
Protection from abuse order (PFAs)
In many cases, the first step taken to protect someone from abuse is to apply for a protection from abuse order (PFA) in the court. The application details the specific protection requested, along with the reason it is needed. In addition to the PFA, we may advise battered women to get even more protection at a local women's shelter.
PFAs can be used to protect:
- Spouses and ex-spouses
- Unmarried couples who have lived together or had an intimate relationship
- Parents and children
- Persons related to the abuser by blood or marriage
- Same sex couples
The PFA order can contain many types of relief for the abused including:
- Requiring the abuser to stop abusing, stalking, threatening, and harassing
- Evicting or excluding the abuser from the home
- Keeping the address of the abused confidential
- Granting temporary custody of children
- Granting temporary child and spousal support
- Requiring the abuser to surrender weapons to the sheriff
- Ordering the abuser to refrain from contact with the children or the abused person
Representing those falsely accused
Our attorneys also represent people who have been falsely accused of domestic violence. When a PFA order is sought against a client, we work hard to refute it at the PFA hearing. We want to make sure that access to the home and children is possible. When a PFA order has been issued by the court—even if unjustified—it is important to follow it until other legal remedies are found. We advise our clients about the rights and liabilities of the PFA. For example, a PFA order may forbid contact with the spouse.
Clients who are the subject of such an order should not under any circumstance:
- Visit the home
- Attempt to remove their clothes or possessions from the home
- Call the spouse's regular phone or cell phone
- Send text messages
- Send e-mails
- Attempt to contact the spouse through family, neighbors, friends, or other third parties
Fighting to win your legal issue
Contact Sigmon & Sigmon, P.C. online or call us at 610-865-3404 to speak to caring and talented attorneys who have been dedicated to solving legal issues for clients since 1987.
