Protective Orders
A Protective Order is designed to protect a person from abuse.
A court will issue a Protective Order to tell an abuser what they can or cannot do for specified things. If the abuser fails to follow a Protective Order, law enforcement has the right to immediately arrest them and take legal actions.
What is a Protective Order?
A person can obtain an order of protection for themselves, or their children, in either he District or Circuit Courts.
There must be a familial or sexual relationship to qualify for a Protective Order. If there is no relationship, then you will need a Peace Order.
The Court can order:
- No Contact: the abuser is not allowed to contact the victim at all (including in-person, phone calls, texting, emails, and letters)
- Peaceful Contact: the abuser can only contact the victim when discussing specified topics (e.g. making decisions about their children)
- Stay Away: the abuser is not allowed to come within a specified distance of the victim
- Move Out: the abuser must move out of the home
- No Firearms: the abuser must surrender all firearms to law enforcement for the duration of the order
- Counseling: the abuser must go to counseling for the duration of the order
What is Considered Abuse?
Abuse is defined as several actions, including:
- An act that causes serious bodily harm (e.g. hitting, choking, shooting, shoving, or biting)
- An act that places someone in fear of imminent serious bodily harm (including threats)
- Assault, rape, or sexual assault
- Mental injury to a child or minor
- Stalking
Work with Our Team of Experienced Attorneys
If you require assistance with Protective Orders or have any questions regarding our services, please don’t hesitate to call us at (410) 842-1070.
Resources
Identifying Narcissism During Divorce: What to Watch For and How to Protect Yourself
Narcissists rarely take responsibility. If you’re in the middle of a divorce and questioning your partner’s behavior, it’s critical to understand what narcissism can look like—and how it can affect your case.
What to do if you suspect your co-parent is suffering from a substance use disorder
Parents who suffer from substance use disorders could be a danger to themselves or the children in their custody. If you are concerned about your co-parent’s behavior regarding a substance use disorder, do not hesitate to get in contact with one of our family law attorneys to discuss strategies to protect your children.
Take Pride: Maryland Court’s Ruling on Parental Acceptance and Child Protection
An opinion was issued by the Appellate Court of Maryland, C.M. v. J.M., wherein the court addressed whether or not a parent’s refusal to accept their child’s sexual orientation amounted to “mental injury” and thus abuse of a child in order to obtain a protective order
The Differences Between a Peace and Protective Order for Abusive Circumstances
For those in Maryland who are suffering from domestic violence, intimate partner violence, or abuse from a stranger, the law offers specific protective measures. In this post, we will focus on two measures in particular: Peace Orders and Protective Orders.
Identifying Narcissism During Divorce: What to Watch For and How to Protect Yourself
Narcissists rarely take responsibility. If you’re in the middle of a divorce and questioning your partner’s behavior, it’s critical to understand what narcissism can look like—and how it can affect your case.
What to do if you suspect your co-parent is suffering from a substance use disorder
Parents who suffer from substance use disorders could be a danger to themselves or the children in their custody. If you are concerned about your co-parent’s behavior regarding a substance use disorder, do not hesitate to get in contact with one of our family law attorneys to discuss strategies to protect your children.
Take Pride: Maryland Court’s Ruling on Parental Acceptance and Child Protection
An opinion was issued by the Appellate Court of Maryland, C.M. v. J.M., wherein the court addressed whether or not a parent’s refusal to accept their child’s sexual orientation amounted to “mental injury” and thus abuse of a child in order to obtain a protective order
The Differences Between a Peace and Protective Order for Abusive Circumstances
For those in Maryland who are suffering from domestic violence, intimate partner violence, or abuse from a stranger, the law offers specific protective measures. In this post, we will focus on two measures in particular: Peace Orders and Protective Orders.
Testimonials
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