Pennsylvania — Statute

5209 – Warrant To Take Physical Custody Of Child | Pennsylvania Law

Pennsylvania law permits ex parte warrants for child custody if there's a credible risk of wrongful removal, with procedures for hearings and safety measures.

Legal Content

Pennsylvania State Law

5209 – Warrant To Take Physical Custody Of Child

Pennsylvania Title 23 - Domestic Relations § 5209

Summary

Pennsylvania law allows courts to issue an ex parte warrant to take immediate physical custody of a child if there is credible risk of wrongful removal. The law outlines procedures for hearings, safety measures, and law enforcement actions to ensure the child's safety. It also emphasizes the importance of database checks for prior abuse or violence before executing the warrant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Attorneys Choose FlawFinder

Side-by-side with Westlaw and LexisNexis

Feature	FlawFinder	Westlaw	LexisNexis
Monthly price	$19 - $99	$133 - $646	$153 - $399
Contract	None	1-3 year min	1-6 year min
Hidden fees	$0, always	Up to $469/search	$25/mo + per-doc
Police SOPs	✓ 310+ departments	✗	✗
Zero-hallucination AI	✓ CitationGuard	✗	✗
Cancel	One click	Termination fees	No option to cancel

Explain Like I'm 5

In simple terms: Pennsylvania law permits ex parte warrants for child custody if there's a credible risk of wrongful removal, with procedures for hearings and safety measures.. This means people must follow this rule, and breaking it can lead to criminal penalties.