English
Español403.763 Violation of order of protection constitutes contempt of court and criminal offense
(1) Violation of the terms or conditions of an order of protection after the person has been served or given notice of the order shall constitute contempt of court and a criminal offense under this section. Once a criminal or contempt proceeding has been initiated, the other shall not be undertaken regardless of the outcome of the original proceeding.
(2) (a) Court proceedings for contempt of court for violation of an order of protection shall be held in the county where the order was issued or filed.
(b) Court proceedings for a criminal violation of an order of protection shall follow the rules of venue applicable to criminal cases generally.
(3) Nothing in this section shall preclude the Commonwealth from prosecuting and convicting the respondent of criminal offenses other than violation of an order of protection.
(4) (a) A person is guilty of a violation of an order of protection when he or she intentionally violates the provisions of an order of protection after the person has been served or given notice of the order.
(b) Violation of an order of protection is a Class A misdemeanor.
