Stalking - Protective and Peace Orders in Maryland

Protective and Peace Orders
(CC-DC/DV PO1 br 7-03)

http://www.courts.state.md.us/district/forms/dvpo/ccdcdvpo1br.html

How to obtain relief from abusive individuals

Peace and protective orders are civil orders issued by a judge to prevent one person from committing certain acts against others.

Note: Peace and protective orders are civil orders; under certain circumstances you also may file criminal charges. If you wish to file criminal charges, call the police or contact a District Court commissioner.

What do you have to prove?
Once you determine the type of order for which you may qualify, you then must
prove that one of the following acts occurred:

For a peace order:
- an act that caused serious bodily harm
- an act that placed the petitioner in fear of imminent bodily harm
- assault in any degree
- rape or sexual offense
- attempted rape or sexual offense
- false imprisonment
- criminal harassment *
- criminal stalking *
- criminal trespassing *
- malicious destruction of property*
* these acts apply only to a peace order.

For a protective order:
- an act that caused serious bodily harm
- an act that placed the petitioner in fear of imminent bodily harm
- assault in any degree
- rape or sexual offense
- attempted rape or sexual offense
- false imprisonment