See My New Protective Order eBook

There are now new rules that apply to protective orders and criminal cases during the COVID-19 situation in Maryland. Learn more here.

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes and is not intended to give detailed legal advice. Transmission and receipt of this guide does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. Marc Emden practices law in Maryland and he does not seek to represent anyone in any jurisdiction where this book does not comply with applicable laws and bar rules. Readers should not act upon the information in this guide without first seeking the advice of an attorney licensed to practice in your area.

Table of Contents

• Overview: Comparing Protective and Peace Orders
• Section 1. What are Protective Orders?
• Section 2. Grounds for Filing a Protective Order
• Section 3. Process for Filing a Protective Order
• Section 4. Types of Relief Provided by the Court
• Section 5. For Respondents: Were You Falsely Accused of Abuse You Never Committed?
• Section 6. Personal Jurisdiction – Can a Maryland Court Issue a Protective Order Against Me If I Don’t Live Here?
• Section 7. Basic Strategies for Petitioners
• Section 8. Recording Conversations: Maryland’s Wiretap Statute
• Section 9. Use of Cell Phones to Record Your Abuser: Good or Bad Idea?
• Section 10. Can Social Media Postings Jeopardize Your Case
• Section 11. Organizing Text Messages for Your Lawyer
• Section 12. Preparing to Testify: YouTube Primers
• Section 13. Custody of Children and Visitation
• Section 14. Interplay Between Your Family Case and Protective Order Case
• Section 15. Children Testifying as Witnesses in Court: Good or Bad Idea
• Section 16. Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services Issues
• Section 17. Violation of a Protective Order
• Section 18. Shielding of Protective Order
• Final Thoughts

If you want help filing a protective order schedule a consultation with me.

Schedule a Consultation

Comparing Protective and Peace Orders

Section 1. What are Protective Orders?

In this section:

• What are Protective Orders?
• Types of Protective Orders
• Impact of Protective Orders

______________________

What are Protective Orders?

Maryland’s Protective orders is a type of restraining order which can be issued by a Judge in order to protect a victim from an alleged abuser. Protective orders may be filed at any time by the person abused or threatened with violence by a person who is either the spouse, ex-spouse, domestic partner, someone with whom he/she shares a child, someone they dated or had a sexual relationship with, or are a current or ex-boyfriend or girlfriend of the person seeking protection from the court. If the abuser is someone who doesn’t fit into any of those categories, such as a friend, acquaintance, neighbor, or a complete stranger, then you should file a “peace order” not a “protective order.”

Peace Orders offer similar protections, but have different filing requirements. You can find information on filing a peace order here. In both situations, the alleged victim is known as the “Petitioner” and the alleged wrongdoer is known as the “Respondent.”

Protective orders offer many kinds of protection for the Petitioner. A Judge has the power to order a Respondent to stop threatening or committing abuse, to stay away from the Petitioner, or stop contacting them altogether. A protection order can also offer, the Petitioner, relief in other ways, as discussed in Section 4 of this guide.
The degree of protections offered to the Petitioner depend greatly on the evidence presented to the Judge and perhaps the timeliness of your filing. An attorney may be helpful in advising you about your case, filing for the protective order, or representing you in court.

For many of the same reasons, an attorney may be helpful in advising the person who has been accused of any wrongdoing (Respondent) about any defenses they make have in court. This advice may often cover whether the Respondent may have grounds to file a protective order against the original filer. These are known as “mutual protective orders.”

Types of Protective Orders

There are three types of protective orders: the first is an “interim protective order,” A district court commissioner (quasi-Judge) issues these orders when courts are closed, times outside of 8:30-4:30, Monday-Friday, and on federal holidays. This order lasts for about 48 hours or until the second day once the courts are open.

The second type is a temporary protective order. This order is the more typical order which a Judge initially issues at the end of 48 hours or if you have filed your petition with the court during normal business hours. The Courts enter these orders provided that it finds that you demonstrated “reasonable grounds” that you or other person eligible for relief has been a victim of “abuse”. This order lasts for about one week or until the Final Protective Order hearing is held.

The third type is a final protective order. A Court may issue a final protective order If the Petitioner has proved grounds of abuse by higher standard called the “preponderance of evidence”. A FPO can last up to a year.

Impact of Protective Orders on Respondents

There are many things that a Respondent should know before attempting to handle a protective order on his or her own. For example, Maryland courts are required to post protective order cases on the Maryland Judiciary Case Search (as a “Domestic Violence Case”). The Case search is a public database which lists all cases pending in Maryland courts.

Having a protective order filed against a person may affect them in the following ways:

• Disqualification from obtaining a security clearance for employment;
• Inability to obtain a lease. Landlords may be unwilling to rent to you if you are the Respondent in a protective order;
• Inability to secure employment.Employers may be reluctant to hire you;
• Inability to obtain favorable credit. Banks may choose not to extend credit to you;
• Jeopardization of your custody arrangement If you are a party in a domestic relations case,
• Incriminating yourself. Statements you make in the protective order case may be used against you if the police later charge you with a crime in the same matter or a related matter.
• Imperiling your immigration status.

Frequently, protective orders are also the focus of future divorces and custody litigation. An order may also affect your employment, security clearance, police work, or any job which requires the carrying of a handgun. For spouses, another consequence may also be the loss of support, if the Respondent then loses his or her job. To avoid the legal impediment of having an order issued, you may want to consider using the family court to enter a civil order instead.

Section 2. Grounds for Filing a Protective Order

In this section:

• What is Abuse?
• Who is Eligible to File for a Protective Order?

______________________

What is Abuse?

Maryland law defines an act of abuse as:

• Any act which causes physical Harm
• Any act that places someone in fear of serious bodily harm or death
• Battery and any non-consented to touching including: pushing, slapping, spitting, or shoving
• Rape or any sexual assault
• False imprisonment
• Abuse of a minor child or a vulnerable adult
• Stalking
• The Posting of Revenge Pornography

To obtain a protective order, a Petitioner can go to a District Court or Circuit Court where he or she will provide a few minutes of testimony to a Judge or a commissioner. This Judge or commissioner will then decide whether an order should be issued. In addition, make sure that you provide the Judge with the specific facts about happened to you. The more you can describe the particular ways you were injured and the parts of your body which were affected, the easier it will be for the Judge to understand your case. (See Article: “Protective/Peace Order what are they and how to get them” from here.)

While a protective order can provide you with certain protections and relief from domestic abuse, a court order is no guarantee of your immediate safety. Call 911 if you are in immediate danger. Report any violations of a protective order to the police.

Who is Eligible to File for a Protective Order?

In Maryland, you may file for a protective order if you and the alleged abuser:

• Are current or former spouses;
• Have lived together in an intimate relationship for at least 90 days during the past year;
• Are related by blood, marriage, or adoption;
• Are in a parent-child, or stepparent-stepchild relationship and have resided together for at least 90 days during the past year;
• Are in a caretaker-vulnerable adult relationship;
• Are the parents of a child together; or
• Have had a sexual relationship within 1 year before the filing of the petition.

You may also file a Petition for a Protective Order if you allege that the respondent committed, within 6 months before the filing of the petition, rape or a sexual offense in any degree or attempted rape or sexual offense in any degree.

(See §3-1501, Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article for Peace orders and §4-501, Maryland Family Law Article)

Section 3. Process for Filing a Protective Order

In this section:

• Overview of the Process
• Proof
• Penalty for Filing a False Order
• Duration of an Order
• Modifying, Rescinding, or Extending Protective Orders

______________________

Overview of the Process

There are four steps to getting a protection order:

• Step 1: Complete the Petition Form
• Step 2: File the Petition
• Step 3: Appear for a Temporary Hearing
• Step 4: Appear for a Final Hearing

Step 1: Complete the Petition Form

Even if someone suffers an act of abuse in another state or the perpetrator of the act lives out of state, the Petitioner may still file in Maryland as long as they are a resident of this state. You can file a petition for a protective order at a Maryland District Court or Circuit Court.

There are no fees for filing protective orders.

Step 2: File the Petition

The Petition for getting a protective or peace order is relatively simple and straightforward. You must complete a form called “The Petition.” This is the first step in the process to obtain a court order. There is no time limit for filing protective orders in Maryland. But in deciding whether you have proven “reasonable ground that the abuse occurred, the court may consider the length of time between the filing of the Petition and the time of the alleged acts.

On the form, you will be asked to check off various boxes to indicate the type(s) of abuse you are contending happened to you. Make sure that the boxes you have checked are truly accurate. In addition, make sure that your written description on the form of the incidents which have led to file is factually accurate and detailed since your statements may later be challenged in a court hearing by a lawyer representing the opposing side.

Step 3: Appear for a Temporary Hearing

Once you have filed your Petition along with any photographs or other evidence you have of the abuse, the clerk will ask you to wait to see the Judge or commissioner.

When you appear before the Judge or commissioner, he or she will ask you questions about your petition. If the Judge decides that you have offered “reasonable grounds” for the order, a temporary or interim order will be issued by the court.

Once the temporary order is issued, the court then gives it to local law enforcement to be served on the Respondent. The order becomes effective once it is served, and it prohibits the Respondent from contacting the Petitioner or anyone else listed in the order.

At the Temporary Protective Order hearing, if the court believes that there may be evidence that a vulnerable adult, or a child suffered abuse, the court may also request that the Department of Social Services (Child or Adult Protective Services) to prepare a report based on its investigation. This report, and sometimes the caseworker who wrote the report, will be available to the judge and the parties at the final hearing.

If you want help filing a protective order, schedule a consultation with me.

Schedule a Consultation

Step 4: Appear for a Final Hearing

A final hearing is scheduled usually about one week after the entry of the temporary protective order. This last hearing is called the “final protective order hearing”.

At the final hearing, the Judge hears from the Petitioner’s side first. The Petitioner and any witnesses called will testify. The Petitioner may have an attorney and the Respondent along with his or her attorney presents their case. You should expect to be cross examined by a lawyer representing the Respondent. The Respondent then presents his or her evidence. If the Judge finds by a preponderance of evidence that the Respondent has committed acts entitling you to relief, then a final order is issued.

If the Respondent has offered proof that he or she did not abuse the Petitioner, then the judge will deny the Petition.

Proof

If you have been injured by the act of someone else, you should provide photographs or medical reports of your injuries to the Judge. In addition, you should preserve any electronic evidence which is relevant to your case. This may include text messages or emails.

Penalty for Filing a False Order

All of your statements in the Petition and in court are made under oath. If your statements are false, you could be prosecuted for filing a false statement.

Duration of an Order

An interim protective order may last one to two days.

A temporary protective order lasts for about one week or until the hearing for the final protective order occurs.

A final protective order may be effective for a period not to exceed 1 year, unless extended pursuant to a modification. The order should state the maximum time for which the order is effective.

Modifying, Terminating, or Extending Protective Orders

Anytime during the existence of an order, the Petitioner may file a request to have the order extended, terminated, or modified.

Section 4. Types of Relief Provided by the Court

In this section:

• Standards of Proof
• Types of Relief – Interim and Temporary Protective Orders
• Types of Relief – Final Protective Orders
• Protections for Person Eligible for Relief (PEFR)
• Permanent Protective Order After Conviction and Imprisonment

______________________

Standards of Proof

There are varying degrees or standards of proof required for each type of protective order. To determine the type of protective order and necessary levels of protection for the Petitioner, the Judge will review the evidence presented from both the Petitioner and the Respondent.

To issue an interim or temporary protective order the Court must find reasonable grounds- meaning that the Judge must find that reasonable grounds exist to believe that the Respondent abused the Petitioner.

Final protective order cases in Maryland require the Court to find by a “preponderance of the evidence” that the alleged abuse occurred. This phrase means that the Court must find that the commission of the abuse was more likely than not to have occurred. Another way to think about the standard of proof in a final protective order case is that there is a 51% likelihood the alleged conduct occurred. (Proof beyond reasonable doubt is calculated at a higher than 90% likelihood.)

The Court has the power to offer the following relief to a Petitioner who has prevailed at each stage of the process.

Types of Relief – Interim and Temporary Protective Orders

In an interim or temporary protective order, a Judge can order the abuser to:

• Stop abusing you.
• Stay away from you and to not try to contact you or harass you at your home, school, job, or the place where you may be staying, stay away from your child’s school, and from your family members’ homes.
• Stay out of your house.
• Leave the home where the two of you live, if you are married to the abuser, AND you were living with your abuser at the time of the abuse.
• Leave the home if you are not married to the abuser, but were living with the abuser at the time of the abuse, AND your name is on the lease or deed for the house, OR you lived with the abuser for at least 90 days within the past year.
• The Judge can also give you temporary custody of any children that you have with the Respondent.
• The Judge can award temporary possession of any pet of the person eligible for relief or the Respondent.

(Source: https://www.courts.state.md.us/legalhelp/domesticviolence)

Types of Relief – Final Protective Orders

In a final protective order, a Judge can order any of the above, and can also:

• Establish temporary visitation with children.
• Award emergency family maintenance.
• Award use and possession of jointly titled car.
• Order counseling.
• Order the abuser to surrender all firearms.
• Order the abuser to pay filing fees and court costs.
• Order any other relief that the Judge determines is necessary to protect a person eligible for relief from abuse.

(Source: https://www.courts.state.md.us/legalhelp/domesticviolence)

Protections for Person Eligible for Relief (PEFR)

This section provides more details into the types of relief a Judge can order as necessary to protect a “person eligible for relief” (PEFR) from abuse. All types of relief discussed here are available. However, the Judge may offer only certain types of relief depending upon the type of protective order and the circumstances surrounding your case.

Stop Subsequent Acts of Abuse. All relief granted in a final protective order shall be effective for the period stated in the order, not to exceed 2 years if: (i) the court issues a final protective order under this section against a Respondent on behalf of a person eligible for relief for an act of abuse committed within 1 year after the date that a prior final protective order issued against the same Respondent on behalf of the same person eligible for relief expires; and (ii) the prior final protective order was issued for a period of at least 6 months. Md. Code FL § 4- 506(j)(2).

No further abuse. Order the Respondent to refrain from further abuse or threats of abuse.

No contact. A Judge may order the Respondent to refrain from contacting, attempting to contact, or harassing a PEFR.

Moreover, a Judge may order the Respondent to “stay away” from the Petitioner’s home, job, school, shelter, or childcare provider.

• Stay away – residence. Maryland Law defines “residence” to include the yard, grounds, out-buildings and common areas surrounding the residence (Family Law Article § 4-501(p)). This type of protection does not start or stop at the door but, rather, extends throughout the surrounding grounds also called “curtilage”.
• Stay away – job, school, shelter. This is an order requiring the Respondent to stay away from the Petitioner’s place of employment, school or temporary residence.
• Stay away – childcare. This is an order requiring the Respondent to stay away from a Petitioner’s childcare provider while the Petitioner’s child is in the provider’s care.

In situations where you, the Petitioner, and the abuser live together, the “residing together” need only be at the time of the alleged abuse, not at the time of the filing of the petition or at the time that the temporary protective order is under consideration. The alleged abuse may have taken place weeks or even months before the petition is presented to court.

Order to Vacate. If a Petitioner and a Respondent live together, a Judge may order the Respondent to vacate the home and give the Petitioner “temporary use and possession” of the home for up to one year.

However, the law sets “limits as to a non spouse.” The court may not grant an order to vacate and award temporary use and possession of the home to a non spouse unless the name of the Petitioner appears on the lease or deed to the home or the Petitioner has resided in the home with the Respondent for a period of at least 90 days within 1 year before filing the petition.

In granting an order to vacate, a Judge may consider:

(1) the housing needs of any minor child living in the home;

(2) the duration of the relationship between the Respondent and Petitioner;

(3) title to the home;

(4) pendency and type of criminal charges against the Respondent;

(5) the history and severity of abuse in the relationship between the Respondent and Petitioner;

(6) the existence of alternative housing for the Respondent and the Petitioner; and

(7) the financial resources of the Respondent and the Petitioner.

Retrieval of Personal Effects. If the Respondent has not already retrieved his or her belongings from the marital/family residence, the order should state expressly how a Respondent is to arrange to return home to do so. However, if you are a Respondent, you must ask the court to do this! The order may require that a law enforcement officer accompany the Respondent and may list the effects that the Respondent can remove.

Temporary Use and Possession of a Home. A Judge may also order temporary use (and possession) of a home in cases alleging the abuse of a child or a vulnerable adult. However, the “limits as to a non spouse” also apply here.

Temporary Use and Possession of a Vehicle. Award temporary use and possession of a vehicle jointly owned by the Respondent and PEFR, if necessary to the PEFR to be able to work or care for a child or other PEFR. A Judge will use the legal title of the vehicle to determine the possession of a motor vehicle.

Possession of Pet. A Judge may award possession of any pet of the person eligible for relief to the Petitioner or the Respondent.

Temporary Custody. The court’s power as to custody in a temporary protective order hearing is limited to minor children of a Petitioner and the Respondent. As such, a commissioner or the court may wish to direct a Petitioner requesting custody to bring proof of parentage to the final protective order hearing.

Visitation. Establish temporary visitation with a minor child of the Respondent and a PEFR on a basis that gives primary consideration to the welfare of the minor child and the safety of any other PEFR(s). The court can condition or restrict visitation as to time, place, duration or supervision, or deny visitation entirely, as needed to protect any PEFR.

Counseling or a Domestic Violence Program. Order the Respondent or any or all PEFRs to participation in professionally supervised counseling or a domestic violence program.

Surrender of Firearms. The final protective order shall order the Respondent to surrender to law enforcement authorities any firearm in the Respondent’s possession, and to refrain from possession of any firearm, for the duration of the protective order. Federal law provides that a Respondent subject to a properly executed order of protection may not obtain, possess, or transport a firearm or ammunition for the duration of the qualifying protective order.

Treatment and Service Options. In ordering counseling or anger management, for the Respondent, the court can order either of these two treatment methods, and make sure that they are structured in a way to ensure the safety of the victim, the children of the parties, or other vulnerable persons. For instance, If the protective order includes a “stay away” provision, the order should NOT also then require the parties to participate in joint counseling, mediation or classes that would require that they be present together or that could increase the likelihood of a chance meeting.

Anger Management Programs. A Petitioner may request that the Respondent participates in an anger management program.

Section 5. For Respondents: Were You Falsely Accused of Abuse You Never Committed?

In this section:

• Basic Strategies for Respondents
• Consenting to a Protective Order

______________________

Basic Strategies for Respondent

Without sufficient proof of abuse, a Judge will not issue an order against you. If you believe the Petitioner has falsely filed this action against you, you have the right to offer proof of your lawful conduct at the hearing. This proof could consist of favorable email or text messages, as well as the presentation of witnesses on your behalf.

In addition, if you have been named as a Respondent in a peace or protective order case, remember that you could also be facing criminal charges for the same acts. In addition, if the police attempt to interview you, they may well use whatever information or explanations you give them against you in either the criminal or restraining order case.

Second, do not text or leave voice mail messages.

Third, preserve (do not delete or destroy) any evidence like electronic messages or anything else you might need for court.

Fourth, there are also many situations in which you can draft a private agreement between yourself and the Petitioner. These agreements can help you avoid the many risks that come about from the public disclosure of your peace or protective order matter.

These private agreements consist of a contract between you and the Petitioner to prohibit contact between each other, for example, and which provide for financial penalties for any violation. Private agreements thereby avoid the risk that a court order could be issued against you.

There are many other strategies which you can employ to provide you with the best chances of success. Your lawyer will help you with these.

Consenting to the Entry of a Protective Order

Consider consenting to the entry of a protection order. Consenting to the entry of an order means that you have consented to all of the prohibitions referred to in Section 4 against you. It also means that the court has not made any findings of abuse against you.

Consenting also avoids your having to testify in court. There are advantages and disadvantages with this approach. Consult with your lawyer to decide on the best approach, as a solution depends upon the circumstances surrounding your case.

If you want help with false charges, schedule a consultation.

Schedule a Consultation

Section 6. Personal Jurisdiction – Can a Maryland Court Issue a Protective Order Against Me If I Don’t Live Here?

In this section:

• Personal Jurisdiction

______________________

In most situations, if the Respondent has not had any contact with Maryland and the act of domestic violence which Petitioner has raised did not occur in Maryland, Maryland Courts lack the power to hear the protective order in Maryland, even though the Petitioner resides here. This is called “lack of personal jurisdiction over the party”.

Pursuant to Md. Courts and Judicial Proceedings Code Ann. § 6-102, the Court may exercise personal jurisdiction only for a Respondent “domiciled in, served with process in, organized under the laws of, or who maintains his principal place of business in the State.” In order for a Petition to be filed in relation to abuse that occurred outside the State, as enumerated in Md. Family Law Code Ann. § 4-504(ii), there must be some connection of the Respondent to the State. In a situation where the Respondent does not live or have a business relationship with the State, the nonresident has the right to ask the Maryland Court to dismiss the Petition for Protective Order.

Section 7. Basic Strategies for Petitioners

In this section:

• Basic Strategies for Petitioners

______________________
Note: These strategies apply equally to either petitioners or respondents

Undoubtedly, the circumstances in which you choose to file a petition for a protective order will be stressful for you and your family. This section offers just a few basic strategies for Petitioners to help navigate through the uncertainty of going to court. Other effective strategies are too numerous to mention here. They depend on the facts of your individual case.

First, enlist a friend, relative, or therapist to support you. If you can afford an attorney, hire one.

Second, take safety precautions such as changing the locks to your home.

Third, safely secure any electronic devices and any physical evidence that you will need to provide to the Court.

Fourth, secure your finances. Secure financial records such as W2s, pay stubs, bank records, and online banking passwords. These documents will be helpful in filling out forms and requesting EMF assistance if necessary.

Fifth, draft a summary of all of the events leading to the filing of the Petition to assist your lawyer in court.

Sixth, If you have children, do not criticize the other parent in front of them. Do not bring your young children to court as this could traumatize them.

Finally, before you return home or go to a place where the Respondent might be located, make sure the order has been served. You can find this out by contacting the law enforcement agency that serves the orders in your area. You can also sign up for VINE Protective Order (VPO), a service that will notify you by phone or email when Sheriff serves the protective order.

Section 8. Recording Conversations: Maryland’s Wiretap Statute

In this section:

• Recording Conversations: Maryland’s Wiretap Statute

______________________

Note: These strategies apply equally to either petitioners or respondents

In many jurisdictions, a person can record a conversation without the consent of the other party. However, pursuant to Md. Courts and Judicial Proceedings Code Ann. § 10-402, it is illegal for a person to record a private conversation unless every person who is a party to the conversation has given prior consent. A private conversation would include a phone call or words spoken in a private residence. It would not include a public speech or loud conversation that can be freely heard by the general public. Violation of this law is a felony that could result in a prison sentence of up to five years, a fine of $10,000.00, or both upon a conviction.

In order to use the recording of a conversation in a Maryland Court, there must be some evidence that all parties have been informed prior to the conversation that it is being recorded, and that all parties have consented to the recording. There are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if a police officer or a person acting under the supervision of a police officer records a conversation in the course of an investigation, that conversation may be used in Court. In addition, a video recording may be used in Court provided there is no audio or other oral communication (Ricks v. State, 312 Md. 11). In addition, there is no law prohibiting video surveillance (Holmes v. State, 236 Md. App. 636). Also, if the person being recorded is speaking so loudly that there is no reasonable expectation of privacy to their conversation, then recording it does not violate Maryland’s wiretap statute. (Malpas v. State, 116 Md. App. 69)

Section 9. Use of Cell Phones to Record Your Abuser: Good or Bad Idea?

In this section:

• Use of Cell Phones to Record Your Abuser: Good or Bad Idea?

______________________

Is it a good idea to record conversations with a partner who is committing acts of domestic violence against you? Should you record conversations or acts of your partner to protect yourself from them bringing up false allegations that you committed acts of domestic abuse? At first glance, it would seem like a good idea to have an audio and/or video recording of the behavior that is the basis for your Petition for a Protective Order. However, it is not that simple.

Before you whip out a cell phone or turn on the camera, it is essential to find out if it is legal to record an audio or video of the behavior of the offending party. While you may want this kind of evidence for your case, you do not want to do anything that would be inadmissible in Court, or worse, is a violation of law that could result in a fine or even incarceration. Once you have determined what is legal to record, you must then decide whether you are helping or hurting your case by legally recording the behavior. There are some “pros” and some “cons” that you should consider:

Pros:

• Obtaining footage of your partner committing violence could be useful in Court to demonstrate what took place and the intensity of the behavior.
• Obtaining footage of your emotions to the violence at the time of the event may be useful in Court to demonstrate the harm you suffered.
• Obtaining footage of the entire incident(s) could be useful in Court to rebut any claims by the other party that you were somehow also involved in similar or contributory behavior.

Cons:

• Using a phone to record someone while they are talking to you can often arouse feelings of anger or irritation by the person being filmed. This is understandable as no one wants to be spied on or recorded against their will. In this way, video often escalates the tension between the parties.
• By using your phone to film someone, you may appear to be the one setting the stage for conflict and seen by the judge as an aggressor, thereby diminishing your claim of being a victim to unjustified behavior.
• By using your phone to record an event, it may result in the other person “curbing” his or her bad behavior, thereby looking more favorable to the Court.

While it is true that audio and/or video presentations can be powerful pieces of evidence, it is important to know the legality of your act of recording an event and to weigh the pros and cons before attempting to obtain this kind of evidence to use in Court.

Section 10. Can Social Media Postings Jeopardize Your Case?

In this section:

• Can Social Media Postings Jeopardize Your Case?

______________________

In Maryland, social media postings are generally admissible in Court under Maryland Rule 5-901, provided that it can be authenticated to be what its proponent claims it to be. A vast majority of Americans have some presence on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and similar social media outlets. By their nature, social media postings are not private and are fair game for being introduced in Court. It is important not to post anything on social media about your feelings, attitudes, or opinions of the Respondent in a Protective Order case. Such postings may hurt your case in court, particularly if it appears that you have an axe to grind or if it appears in your social media presence that you have some kind of obsession with the Respondent. Once you decide to take your case to Court, it is prudent to refrain from any social media postings about the case while it is still before the Courts.

Section 11. Organizing Text Messages for Your Lawyer

In this section:

• Organizing Text Messages for Your Lawyer

______________________

With the prevalence of cellphones, and the fact that texting is almost a more common form of communication than a phone call, text messages have become a staple in court hearings, particularly in Protective Order hearings. Text communications with the Respondent are germane to the case and are admissible under the Maryland Rules of Evidence with proper authentication. Text messages can help to prove abuse or harassment by their content, volume, and regularity. However, when there is a long history of text messaging, or numerous parties with germane texts, it might be helpful to be able to organize your text messages with software designed for this task.

A Google search will generate apps and programs for organizing your text messages into files on your computer. Many of these programs are available in apps that are compatible for both Windows and Mac computers. Some of these programs are free and there are often “how-to” videos that make the process easy. Since the pertinent text messages are located on your phone, organizing them serves as a worthwhile task to assist your attorney and the judge during the trial of your case. Since text messages can be powerful pieces of evidence to prove a Protective Order case, it is often worth investing the time in compiling and organizing text messages for use in Court.

Section 12. Preparing to Testify: YouTube Primers

In this section:

• Preparing to Testify: YouTube Primers

______________________

Testimony given under oath in a Maryland Court is considered evidence, and the trier of fact (judge) will come to a decision based in part on this evidence. Effectively expressed testimony often serves as a power persuader in Court. If you want to be effective as a witness, you need to project truthfulness and believability to the judge.

There are many ways for you to get comfortable in your role as a witness who is about to testify in Court. The best way to improve involves practicing with your attorney. You may also wish to watch some of the many fine instructional videos on the Internet dealing with the subject of testifying at trial. There are a number of useful videos on YouTube, for example, that are free and provide simple concepts and tips, such as speaking up and speaking slowly, listening to the question before you answer, and speaking in a conversational tone so that you do not appear to be rehearsed or stilted. While there are usually many pieces of evidence presented at a hearing, the testimony of the parties is crucial to any case. Communicating your story to the Court effectively is vitally important to your case.

Section 13. Custody of Children and Visitation

In this section:

• Custody and Visitation
• Emergency Family Maintenance

______________________

Custody and Visitation

If the Petitioner and the Respondent have children together, the Judge must decide the question of temporary custody.The Judge may also establish temporary visitation with a minor child of the Respondent.

In the event that visitation is allowed, the court should set the terms of visitation stated in specific days and times, rather than granting “reasonable” visitation to be worked out by the parties, and should give consideration to the protection, if any, needed during visitation. In awarding visitation, the court should consider requiring the parties to exchange children through a neutral person known to the parties, for example, a family member with whom both parents are comfortable, or through a court-based or private visitation service. A monitored exchange program can be used to minimize contact and conflict between the parties.

Emergency Family Maintenance

If the parties have minor children in common or the Petitioner seeks financial support to pay expenses of the family or the children, the Petitioner is entitled to seek Emergency Family Maintenance (EMF) from the Respondent, which can be ordered at the final protective order hearing. EMF is based on the needs of the party seeking money and the resources available to the Respondent. If the Petitioner seeks EMF, each is expected to complete a financial statement before the hearing and to provide it to the other party.

If the Court determines that abuse has occurred, it will hold a hearing to determine the amount, if any, of EMF the Respondent must pay to the Petitioner and children of the Respondent. At the hearing, the Petitioner should ask the Judge for a specific amount of support. The Judge will need to know how much the Petitioner is seeking from the Respondent. Bring pay stubs and W2’s, tax returns, and proof of family expenses. The amount of EFM can also be decided between the parties by agreement or, either party, may ask the court to decide the amount, if any, in a hearing.

Section 14. Interplay Between Your Family Case and Protective Order Case

In this section:

• Interplay Between Your Family Case and Protective Order Case

______________________

If you or your partner are married or just have children together, in addition to filing a Petition for Protective Order you may also want to pursue remedies available in Family Court. The Family Division of the Maryland Circuit Courts have jurisdiction over all civil legal matters relating to the family. These issues may involve custody, legal decision-making authority, parenting time, child support, divisions of marital property and other issues.

The judge in a Protective Order case is only permitted to address some of these issues for up to a one-year period due to the emergency nature of Domestic Violence cases. A family judge on the other hand will make decisions of indefinite length which are viewed as non-emergency issues between the parties who are in a family relationship with each other. If you are being represented in a Domestic Violence matter, it is important to ask your attorney if he or she also practices Family Law, and if not, ask for a referral for someone who can assist you with that part of the case.

Section 15. Children Testifying as Witnesses in Court: Good or Bad Idea?

In this section:

• Children Testifying as Witnesses in Court: Good or Bad Idea?

______________________

Unfortunately, minor children may be witnesses to domestic violence in their household. You may have wondered whether you want your child to testify in court as to what he or she saw or heard. As a general rule, I do not recommend putting your child in the position of testifying in court. It may have the effect of retraumatizing the child, particularly if it requires the child effectively to take sides in a dispute between parents. It will also force the child to “relive” the traumatic event, compounded by the reality that they will have to do so in front of strangers in open court. As a rule of thumb, the younger the child the greater the potential trauma of having to testify.

There are, however, situations when asking the judge to speak to your child about the issues in your domestic violence case will be necessary. This will be the case when your child is also the victim of abuse by the Respondent. It is important to be sensitive to the child’s age as well as the degree of trauma that he or she has already been exposed to in making the decision whether or not to have the child testify.

Section 16. Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services Issues

In this section:

• Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services Issues

______________________

Sadly, in some Protective Order cases that involve domestic violence, the police become involved. When a child or vulnerable adult is subject to the abuse or neglect of a parent, police are required to refer the domestic violence case to the Department of Welfare Services/ Child Protective Services (CPS) or Adult Protective Services (APS). When one of these agencies become involved, it requires a separate investigation and possible agency hearing in addition to any Court hearings related to a Protective Order.

Pursuant to Md. Family Law Code Ann. § 5-704, any health practitioner, police officer, educator, or human service worker, acting in a professional capacity in this State is required to report any suspicion of abuse or neglect to the Department of Social Services. Within 24 hours of receiving such a report, the relevant agency must begin an investigation. This investigation may include interviewing you in the case and could have negative consequences, even if you were not guilty of the abusive behavior.

You should consult a lawyer before speaking with Child Protective Services or Adult Protective Services. Case workers in these agencies are sincerely trying to do their best to protect vulnerable members of the public from neglect or abuse. It is important to understand that they are looking out for the best interests of the child or vulnerable adult and not necessarily considering your best interests. It is important to have an attorney who can help you to navigate through any DSS hearing related to your case.

Section 17. Violation of a Protective Order

In this section:

• Violation of a Protective Order

______________________

If a Respondent violates any of the terms of a protective order can result in a criminal charge punishable up to 6 months in jail for each violation. For example, possession of a firearm and that failure to comply with any order to surrender firearms is a misdemeanor (pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8)).

Section 18. Shielding of Protective Order

In this section:

• Shielding of a Protective Order

______________________

Under certain circumstances, the person against whom a peace or protective order case was filed can keep the public from seeing information about the case. If the peace or protective order was denied or dismissed, either can file a Request to Shield Records. If fewer than three years has passed since the date of the denial or dismissal, the Respondent must also file a General Waiver and Release. Your signing this release means that you’ve given up your right to sue the other party for any act arising in this case. The Respondent must mail a copy of the petition to the Petitioner, or the court may serve it if you do not know the address of the other party.

Once the Court receives the Petition to Shield, it will schedule a hearing. Both the Petitioner and the Respondent will receive a Notice of the hearing, and both parties have a right to be present at the hearing.

The Court will grant the shielding request if all of the following are true: (1) the petition was denied or dismissed at either the interim, temporary, or final stage; (2) that a final protective order or peace order has not been previously issued against the Respondent in a proceeding between the Petitioner and the Respondent; (3) that there is not currently pending an interim or temporary protective order or peace order issued against the Respondent in a proceeding between the Petitioner and Respondent; and that there is not currently pending a criminal charge against the Respondent arising from the alleged abuse against the Petitioner.

If the Petitioner shows up at the hearing, he/she will be given an opportunity to explain why the Respondent’s Petition should be denied. The Court may deny the shielding for good cause. In determining whether good cause exists, the Court will balance the privacy of the Respondent and the potential danger of adverse consequences to the Respondent against the potential risk of future harm and danger to the Petitioner and the community.

Consented to orders. These order may be shielded; however, there are now special rules which apply to whether and when a court will grant a petition to shield a final order to which the parties consented. You will need to consult with an attorney to learn more about this process.

Final Thoughts

Whether you are a Petitioner or a Respondent, every case is different, and there is no single right way to handle your case. Thoughtful preparation before any court appearance will always give you the best chance of success.