PFA

How to File

To file a Protection From Abuse Petition, you will need to arrive at the Protection From Abuse Office at the Lehigh County Courthouse Monday-Friday between 8:00am and 2:00pm. Please note that this is a lengthy process and may take several hours to complete. Photo identification is required.

All paperwork needs to be completed, submitted, and approved by the office BEFORE 2:00pm to secure a hearing with the judge.

Due to COVID-19, Lehigh county encourages anyone needing to file a PFA, modification of a PFA, PFA Dismissal, or an Indirect Criminal Contempt (violation) of a PFA to file online at:https://www.lccpa.org/Covid19

To file a Protection Form Abuse Petition, go to Protection From Abuse Office Section, located on the provided webpage and follow the instructions.

It is very difficult to complete paperwork on a cell phone. Please use a tablet or a computer. If you do not have access to a computer, tablet, phone number, or you think you will need assistance, you may fill out the forms on a kiosk in the Family Court Office Waiting Room located on the 4th Floor.

What's Next?

Once paperwork is submitted, the Family Court Office will call you with a time to physically come into court for your hearing. You will need access to a working phone number so the Family Court Office can call you. The Sheriff’s office will serve the other party the paperwork and hearing notice after the temporary PFA hearing.

For the final hearing, all physical evidence such as texts or pictures must be printed out and brought with you prior to the hearing.

No cell phones are allowed in court unless for audio or video evidence.

How to File

To file for a Protection From Abuse Order in Northampton County, go to the Protection From Abuse Office, located on the lower level (Rm. L113) of the Northampton County Courthouse. The filing hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30am to 2:00pm. Motions Judge hears PFA cases at 9:30am and 2:30pm every day.

All paperwork needs to be completed, submitted, and approved by the office BEFORE 2:00pm to secure a hearing with the judge.

Please note that this is a lengthy process and may take several hours to complete. Photo identification is required.

To learn more about filing a Protection From  Abise Petition, go to their Protection From Abuse Office Section to learn more or here https://www.nccpa.org/civil/protection-from-abuse-program

What's Next?

Once your paperwork is submitted you will be brought before a judge for a brief hearing. The Sheriff’s office will serve the other party the paperwork and hearing notice after the temporary PFA hearing.

For the final hearing, all physical evidence such as texts or pictures must be printed out and brought with you to the hearing.

No cell phones are allowed in court unless for audio or video evidence.

How to File: 

To file a Protection From Abuse Petition, you will need to go to the Prothonotary's Office on the first floor of the Carbon County Courthouse Monday-Friday between 8:30am and 4:30pm. You can also Download the packet here to save time; PFA Packet  you can print and fill in the required information at home before going to the courthouse to file. Please note that this is a lengthy process and may take several hours to complete. 

What's Next?

After you fill out the forms, the Prothonotary Staff will take you to see a Judge, if one is immediately available. After the Judge signs the order, you will return to the Prothonotary's Office to get copies, you must take one copy to the Sheriff's Office so they can serve the Defendant. 

For the final hearing, all physical evidence such as text or pictures must be printed and brought with you to the hearing. No cell phones are allowed in court unless given permission from the Judge. 

 4 Broadway Jim Thorpe, PA 18229

Legal Resources

http://www.carbonbar.org/Lawyer-Referral-Service.html

(610)-379-4950