While Maryland’s harassment laws do not require the victim to formally request the harasser to stop by letter, some documentation goes a long way in establishing your displeasure with the offender’s actions—hence the cease and desist letter- often at a lower cost than hiring an attorney to pursue other actions. What is a cease and [...]
Reprinted with permission from the author: Wendy Patrick, Esquire, PhD. Many domestic violence victims suffer in silence. Enduring a steady pattern of abuse and humiliation at home, they bravely attempt to present a solid exterior in public. Sometimes they pull it off; usually, they do not. We notice the signs. Whether physical or emotional, red flags are flying. In such cases, some people [...]
The on-going situation with COVID-19 has changed the way Maryland courts are handling restraining orders. Learn more about how it impacts you and what changed about the process here.
If you have been abused by a family member or someone with whom you are in a romantic relationship, you are eligible to file a Petition for Protective Order against the person responsible for the abuse. While filing the Petition itself may seem straightforward, there are a few things you may not know about the legal process. Learn more about the process here.
Whether you’re the person filing for a protective order (Petitioner) or the person against whom the Protective Order is filed (Respondent), Maryland law gives the parties a period of up to six months to decide whether to seek a final protective order or to dismiss the case, if they choose to. This window often serves as a golden opportunity for the parties to enter into discussions to attempt to settle some of their outstanding differences. Find out more about this cooling off period in this post.
In Maryland, the process for getting a peace order or protective order from a District Court judge, District Court commissioner, or Circuit Court judge is a relatively easy one. Learn More.
For some of you, your first involvement with the Maryland court system will occur when you are named as a “Respondent” in a protective order or a peace order. If this happens to you, you may not fully appreciate the many traps you could face. Learn more about what can happen.
