Domestic violence is a serious charge that can have significant impacts on a person’s life. Courts in Maryland fully aim to prosecute these offenders. Offenders can face both civil and criminal charges. Relief for victims of abuse varies depending on the situation. Two orders that can be taken out against an alleged abuser can include protective orders and peace orders. Continue reading to learn the difference between the two and reach out to an experienced Maryland domestic violence attorney if you have been accused.
What is a Protective Order?
A protective order may be filed by a person that has a special relationship with the alleged abuser. This can include the following:
- Individuals who share a child
- Individuals who have had a sexual relationship within a year of filing
- Current or former spouses
- Individuals who lived together in an intimate relationship for at least 90 days over the course of the last year
- Individuals who are related by marriage, blood, or adoption
- Parent-child or stepparent-child relationships that meet the 90-day residency requirement
With Interim and Temporary Protective Orders, the alleged abuser can be required to stop all abuse, stay away from the home, school, and place of employment of the victim and their child, and leave their shared residence. There are some situations in which the court may allow the victim to have full custody of the child. A Final Protective Order can be issued in certain situations. This can allow temporary visitation with children, use of a jointly titled car, emergency family maintenance, and requires the individual to surrender any firearms they may have.
What is a Peace Order?
There are sometimes cases in which a person needs protection from another individual with whom they do not have an intimate or familial relationship. When a person finds themselves in these situations, they can request a Peace Order from the court. If a Temporary Peace Order is granted, it requires the abuser to cease all abuse and not contact or harass the victim. A Final Peace Order has the same provisions. However, it may also require counseling, mediation, and a payment of court fees.
Contact our Firm
The Law Offices of Debra A. Saltz has decades of experience representing clients in Howard County and Anne Arundel County, Maryland who are litigants in protective and peace order cases. Contact the Law Offices of Debra A. Saltz today to discuss your case.
