PFA and Domestic Violence. False imprisonment may constitute domestic violence in Pennsylvania, raising the stakes for defendants.A person commits a misdemeanor of the second degree if he knowingly restrains another unlawfully so as to interfere substantially with his liberty. The LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team can help if you have been charged with false imprisonment or a domestic violence charge. False imprisonment occurs when a person intentionally and illegally restrains another person's ability to move freely. False imprisonment of family or household members is domestic violence in Pennsylvania. (a) Offense defined. In recent years the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has stepped up their efforts to reduce domestic violence incidents. In ancient times, kidnapping was used to remove members of royalty from the kingdom for ransom or to implement the overthrow of the existing monarchy. Placing another in reasonable fear of imminent serious bodily injury.