Any court with jurisdiction over any criminal matter may, after a hearing and in its discretion, upon substantial evidence, which may include hearsay or the declaration of the prosecutor that a witness or victim has been intimidated or is reasonably likely to be intimidated, issue protective orders, including, but not limited to, the following:
(1) An order that a defendant not violate any provision of this subchapter or section 2709 (relating to harassment) or 2709.1 (relating to stalking).
(2) An order that a person other than the defendant, including, but not limited to, a subpoenaed witness, not violate any provision of this subchapter.
(3) An order that any person described in paragraph (1) or (2) maintain a prescribed geographic distance from any specified witness or victim.
(4) An order that any person described in paragraph (1) or (2) have no communication whatsoever with any specified witness or victim, except through an attorney under such reasonable restrictions as the court may impose.
(June 23, 1993, P.L.124, No.28, eff. imd.; Dec. 9, 2002, P.L.1759, No.218, eff. 60 days)
Cross References. Section 4954 is referred to in sections 2709.1, 4954.1, 4955, 4956 of this title; section 6711 of Title 23 (Domestic Relations); section 8127 of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure).
Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Title 18 - CRIMES AND OFFENSES
Chapter 49 - Falsification and Intimidation
Section 4904 - Unsworn falsification to authorities
Section 4905 - False alarms to agencies of public safety
Section 4906 - False reports to law enforcement authorities
Section 4906.1 - False reports of child abuse
Section 4907 - Tampering with witnesses and informants (Repealed)
Section 4908 - Retaliation against witness or informant (Repealed)
Section 4909 - Witness or informant taking bribe
Section 4910 - Tampering with or fabricating physical evidence
Section 4911 - Tampering with public records or information
Section 4912 - Impersonating a public servant
Section 4913 - Impersonating a notary public or a holder of a professional or occupational license
Section 4914 - False identification to law enforcement authorities
Section 4915 - Failure to comply with registration of sexual offenders requirements (Expired)
Section 4915.1 - Failure to comply with registration requirements
Section 4915.2 - Failure to comply with 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 97 Subch. I registration requirements
Section 4952 - Intimidation of witnesses or victims
Section 4953 - Retaliation against witness, victim or party
Section 4953.1 - Retaliation against prosecutor or judicial official
Section 4954 - Protective orders
Section 4954.1 - Notice on protective order
Section 4955 - Violation of orders
Section 4956 - Pretrial release
Section 4957 - Protection of employment of crime victims, family members of victims and witnesses
Section 4958 - Intimidation, retaliation or obstruction in child abuse cases