When dealing with a situation where you need a protective order, it is crucial to have the best legal representation possible. A protective order lawyer in Bethesda can provide you with the expertise and guidance you need during this difficult time.
Jezic & Moyse is a law firm comprised of lawyers who will help you with every part of your case, from the start to represent you during court proceedings. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
What is a Protective Order?
A protective order is a legal order issued by a court that requires one person to stop harming or harassing another person. Protective orders are also known as restraining orders. According to the People’s Law Library, you can file for an order of protection from either the District Court or Circuit Court in your county in Maryland.
There are three types of protective orders in Maryland:
- Interim Protective Order. It is the first level of protection that a judge can grant. It is valid until your next court appearance and takes effect when law enforcement serves it on the respondent.
- Temporary Protective Order. A type of protection order following a hearing in which both parties state their case. It is valid for six months and possibly extended by the court.
- Final Protective Order. This order may last up to one year, but if the court sees fit, they may extend the protection for another six months after a hearing.
Who can file for a Protective Order?
No specified victim or offender type in Maryland can seek a protection order. According to state law, any individual whose actions caused damages to another person may seek an order of protection. It encompasses, but is not limited to, the following types of harm:
- Assault
- Battery
- Sexual assault or rape
- Stalking
- Harassment
- Kidnapping
- Trespassing
When filing for a protective order, you must be able to show the court that you have been harmed or are in danger of being harmed by the other person. Also, you will need to offer evidence that verifies your statement. Such proof may comprise of:
- Police reports
- Medical records
- Witness statements
- Photographs
- Text messages or emails
It would help if you also were prepared to provide the court with information about the respondent, such as their name, address, and other relevant contact information.
What a Protective Order can do
A protective order can do many things to help you and your family feel safe. The specifics of each order will be unique to the situation, but some everyday things a protective order can do are:
- Require the respondent to stay away from you, your home, your workplace, or your children’s school
- Prohibit the respondent from contacting you or your family in any way, including by phone, email, text message, or social media
- Give you temporary custody of any children you share with the respondent
- Require the respondent to surrender any firearms they have
A protective order is a court order; if the respondent violates it, they can be arrested and charged with a crime. If you believe the respondent has violated the order, you should contact law enforcement immediately.
If a Respondent breaches any portion of the protective order, the Maryland Court recommends seeking contempt. It is a criminal offense to violate a protective order in Maryland.
The judge may order the respondent to:
- Pay a fine
- Serve time in jail or prison
- Comply with any other conditions the judge sees fit
How Jezic & Moyse can help
If you are a domestic abuse or violence victim, you want the best legal representation possible. During this challenging time, a protective order lawyer in Bethesda can provide you with the required knowledge and support. We will walk you through each stage of the procedure and ensure we safeguard your rights.
Jezic & Moyse have a team of experienced attorneys handling protective order cases. If you’re wondering about how our clients feel about us, be sure to check out our client testimonials. We take every security situation seriously and will do everything we can to keep you and your loved ones safe. We offer free consultations. Contact us today to schedule yours.