Scranton Reporter

Lackawanna County issued the following announcement on April 3.

ORDER

AND NOW, this 3rd day of April, in light of  the Judicial Emergency declared by this Court and by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on April 1, 2020, directing the closure of court facilities in all judicial districts as to non-essential functions, and further acknowledging that one of the Court's essential functions is to address relief under the Protection from Abuse (PFA) Act, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED and DECREED THAT effective immediately:

1. The Lackawanna County Family Court, located at 123 Wyoming Avenue, 13' Floor, Scranton, Pennsylvania remains closed to the public. a. General operations are suspended except as set forth in previously issued President Judge Administrative Orders and as provided hereafter. 

2. For Emergency Temporary Protection from Abuse Petitions and Orders during NON-BUSINESS HOURS- During non-business hours, which are hereby defined as weekdays from Monday through Friday at 2:00 p.m. until 9:00 a.m. and weekends from Friday at 2:00 p.m. through Monday at 9:00 a.m., the Petitioner shall contact their local police department. 

3. Temporary PFA Filings during business hours: a. Pre-prepared, verified PFA filings: i. IMPORTANT: Preparers of the petitions must provide a valid email address and telephone number of the Petitioner (and counsel, if applicable) to the Family Court Administration Office to process the petitions. ii. PM Petitions and Proposed Temporary Orders properly completed pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 6101, et seq, and Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure 1901.3 and 1905, must be emailed to the following email address for referral to and consideration by the Court.

Original source can be found here.