CIVIL PROCESS

Victims of domestic violence can use civil law for protection from some forms of abuse. In Pennsylvania, civil domestic violence laws are under Chapter 50B of our general statutes.  Chapter 50B allows a victim of domestic violence to seek relief from domestic violence by filing for a Domestic Violence Protective Order.  It is also referred to as a Restraining Order, 50B Order, or a DVPO.  A protective order is a civil court order signed by a judge that offers protection to victims of domestic violence.  Victims can get the paperwork from the clerk of court’s office or from a domestic violence program where someone will assist them with completing the paperwork.  The paperwork is filed with the clerk of court.  There is no filing fee for a domestic violence protective order and victims do not need an attorney when they go to court.

According to North Carolina law, the following people are eligible for a protective order:

• Current or former spouses

• Persons of opposite sex who live together or have lived together

• Persons related as parents and children or grandparents and grandchildren

• Persons who have a child in common

• Current or former household members (includes same-sex relationships if parties live or have lived together)

• Persons of opposite sex who are in a dating relationship

According to Chapter 50B, the following acts are considered domestic violence:

• Attempting to or intentionally causing bodily injury

• Placing someone or a member of someone’s family or household in fear of imminent serious bodily injury

• Committing any act defined in GS 14-27.2 through 14-27.7 (rape & sexual offenses)

• Placing someone in fear of continued harassment that rises to level as to inflict substantial emotional distress.  Harassment is defined the same as in stalking law, i.e.

• Conduct that torments, terrorizes, or terrifies a person

• Includes all types of communication, i.e. written, telephone, fax, e-mail, voice mail

Victims of domestic violence can request the following relief in a restraining order:
 

• Direct batterer to refrain from threatening, abusing, following, harassing, or otherwise interfering with the victim

• Grant victim possession of the residence and exclude the batterer

• Order eviction of batterer from residence and assist victim in returning to it

• Temporary custody of minor children and establishment of visitation rights

• Order spousal support and/or child support

• Provide for possession of personal property

• Prohibit batterer from purchasing a firearm (see summary of SB 919)

• Order completion of abuser treatment program\Any additional prohibitions or requirements deemed necessary to protect victim

 DVPOs can be entered for up to one year and can be renewed multiple times for “good cause."  Orders that are entered on or after 10/1/05 may be renewed for up to 2 years rather than one year.

CRIMINAL PROCESS

Pennsylvania’s criminal code covers many acts of violence that commonly occur in abusive relationships; however, most of the laws are not based on whether or not people are in a relationship. These laws would apply equally to strangers except domestic criminal trespass and violation of a domestic violence protective order.  This is part of what makes it hard to track domestic violence crimes in North Carolina (as of 12/1/04, judges are required to indicate on the judgment if a case is domestic violence for all assaults and communicating threats cases). 

The following are common crimes that abusers commit against their intimate partners.  They are all misdemeanor crimes.  The maximum punishment is 150 days in jail with the highest record level.  Stalking and violation of a DVPO can be elevated to felonies if certain criteria are met. 

• Assault on a Female

• Communicating Threats

• Assault by Pointing a Gun

• Domestic Criminal Trespass

• Harassing Phone Calls

• Injury to Pregnant Woman

• Injury to Personal Property

• Assault Inflicting Serious Injury

• Assault with a Deadly Weapon

• Stalking

• Interference with Emergency Communication\

• Violation of a Protective Order

• Assault in the Presence of a Child

• Sexual Battery

Other common crimes committed by abusers:

• Rape
• Sexual Offenses
• Non-fatal Strangulation

These offenses are felony crimes. The felony strangulation law went into effect December 1, 2004.

Misdemeanor criminal offenses are heard in district court in front of a judge.  There is no jury.  The defendant is entitled to an attorney.  An assistant district attorney represents the state.  Only the state can dismiss the charges.  A victim of domestic violence cannot dismiss charges.  A defendant can appeal if found guilty and the case will go before a jury in superior court.  Felony criminal offenses are heard in superior court in front of a jury. 

Victims in felony level crimes and certain misdemeanor crimes including domestic violence are entitled to certain rights pursuant to the Crime Victims' Rights Act.  Victims may also be eligible to apply for compensation through the Crime Victims Compensation Commission.