Category Archives: Domestic Violence
What Are 3 Mistakes You Should Avoid When Being Charged With Domestic Violence?
Going through a domestic violence case is challenging and stressful. But, one of the things that can make going through a domestic violence case much more difficult is making one of the three mistakes outlined below. What Is Domestic Violence? The definition of “domestic violence” is as follows: crimes of violence that are committed… Read More »
What Are The Legal Elements Of Domestic Violence In Maryland?
Domestic violence exists at the intersection of family and criminal law in Maryland. Based on specific requirements, domestic violence stands apart from many other criminal offenses. There are two fundamental elements to domestic violence under Maryland Code of Family Law Section 4-501: (1) The perpetrator must commit an act of abuse; and (2) The… Read More »
Maryland Assistance Program For Victims Of Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is a violent crime in Maryland that occurs between family or household members. Given the close relation between the perpetrator and victim in these cases, Maryland established a special assistance program. The Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services (the “Executive Director”) is responsible for administering… Read More »
Rescinding/Extending Protective Orders In Maryland
When domestic violence occurs under Maryland law, protective orders can help the Maryland courts prevent further abuse. Typically, Maryland protective orders have a defined end date — from interim to temporary and final orders. Even so, Maryland law enables the state courts to rescind or extend protective orders under specific conditions. Rescission of Maryland… Read More »
Maryland Local Teams For Reviewing Domestic Violence Fatalities
Domestic violence is a form of abuse under Maryland law that can involve serious bodily harm, threats of such harm, or other acts of violence. But unlike other types of abuse, domestic violence requires a specific type of relationship between the perpetrator and the victim. In many domestic violence cases, the perpetrator and victim… Read More »
Maryland Rolls Out New Penalties For Violating Protective Orders
Domestic violence under Maryland law is an offense that involves abuse or threats of abuse between family or household members. The relationship between the perpetrator and victim makes this a unique criminal offense, one that also triggers the availability of protective orders. Protective orders are an important tool to help protect victims and halt… Read More »
Maryland Police Duties & Notice Requirements For Domestic Violence
When responding to an allegation of domestic violence, Maryland imposes various duties on law enforcement officers. At the highest level, law enforcement must try to protect the alleged victim from further abuse or violence. On top of safety, law enforcement must also provide notice of various rights and, in certain cases, a copy of… Read More »
What Is A Protective Order For Domestic Violence In Maryland?
Protective orders in Maryland are legal devices employed to protect victims of domestic violence from further abuse. These orders empower the state courts to take legal action and, ideally, prevent the abuser from inflicting further harm. When there is a likelihood of past or future abuse, a domestic violence victim may obtain an interim,… Read More »
Woman Sentenced In Maryland For Interstate Domestic Violence
A U.S. federal judge in Maryland recently sentenced a Florida woman to 16 years in federal prison for interstate domestic violence, according to a Department of Justice press release. According to the plea agreement in this case, the Florida woman made contact with a 17-year-old minor female via social media in May 2017. After… Read More »
How Does Maryland Assist Victims Of Domestic Violence?
In Maryland and elsewhere, a victim of domestic violence is often stuck between a rock and a hard place. These individuals and their children need to escape abuse. But they do not always have the financial means to do so. To help address this unfortunate outcome, Maryland created a program to help victims of… Read More »
