West Virginia Domestic Abuse Attorney

Protection From Abuse (PFA)

If you feel unsafe in your home and need immediate help, call 911 or your local law enforcement agency and contact the Domestic Abuse attorneys at Isner Law Office in Elkins, WV right away. Domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of gender, race, income, or other factors. If you are a victim of abuse by your partner or another family member, domestic violence is a still a crime. Individuals facing allegations of domestic violence could be facing charges of assault, aggravated assault, and battery. If the crime is against a family member or partner, then the charges may carry extra weight in some cases. A Protection from Abuse Order can add an extra level of protection.

What Is Domestic Abuse?

Domestic violence (or abuse) is when a family or household member commits any of the following acts against you:

– Physically harms you, on purpose (intentionally) or recklessly, with or without a weapon

– Makes you afraid that s/he will physically harm you, and your fear is reasonable

– Makes you afraid of physical harm by harassment, stalking, psychological abuse, or threatening acts

– Sexually assaults you or sexually abuses you

– Kidnaps you

– Holds or detains you against your will

You can also apply for a protective order if you have reported or witnessed an act of domestic violence and, as a result, were abused, threatened, harassed or you have been the target of other actions intended to intimidate you.

What Are Protective Orders?

In West Virginia, there are two types of protective orders:

– An emergency protective order is a court order designed to provide you and your family members with immediate protection from an abuser. To get an emergency order, the judge must believe that you or your children are in immediate danger of abuse. If you reported or witnessed an act of domestic violence and, as a result, have been abused, threatened, harassed or you have been the target of other actions intended to intimidate you, you can apply for a protective order.

– A final protective order offers the same type of protection as an emergency protective order, but it lasts longer. Since it lasts longer, you will have to have a full court hearing to get a final protective order. In this hearing, the abuser will have a chance to respond to your petition. A final protective order can last for 90 days, 180 days, or one year.

How Does a Protective Order Help?

What protections can I get in a protective order?

An emergency protective order can include the following terms:

– No contact with victim

– Move out of the shared home

– Can’t enter the school or workplace of the petitioner or his or her household or family members to violate the order

– Require abuser to attend an intervention program

– Temporary child custody, visitation, and support

– Temporary spousal support

– Prohibition from possessing a gun or ammunition

– Reimbursement of reasonable expenses from abuse (medical, shelter, etc.)

– Awarding pet or animal custody to victim and prohibiting abuse of the animal by abuser

The judge will decide which of these will be included in your protective order based on the facts of your case. At Isner Law Office, we can answer your questions and provide legal advice to help ensure you have the information you need to make the best decisions for your family’s future. Our lawyers offer legal representation in a court of law to help protect your rights.

Get the Help You Need to Keep Yourself and Your Children Safe

Isner Law Office in Elkins can help you acquire a needed PFA order! If you are worried about how a frightening situation of physical, sexual, or psychological abuse in your home may affect your life and that of your children, contact the domestic abuse attorneys at Isner Law Office today. We can help you assess the situation and give you the resources you need to help keep yourself and your family safe.

Domestic Violence Resources – West Virginia

If you are a victim of domestic abuse, you should call the National Domestic Violence Hotline immediately.

Contact Isner Law Office

If you are a victim of domestic violence and need to get a domestic violence protective order, call Attorney Phil Isner right now! Isner Law Office offers professional legal guidance and representation you can trust. Everyone deserves relationships free from domestic violence. We help victims of domestic abuse in North Central West Virginia and throughout the state know and understand all of their legal rights and options. Contact Isner Law Office today to schedule a consultation at (304) 636-7681.