In Maryland, there are two types of court orders that can provide protection to individuals who have been threatened or harmed by someone else: Peace Orders and Protective Orders.

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A Peace Order is a court order that provides protection from an individual who is not a family or household member and who has committed certain acts of harassment or stalking. These acts can include, but are not limited to:

• Repeatedly following, approaching, contacting, or attempting to contact the person

• Making threats of harm or committing acts that cause the person to fear for their safety

• Acting in a way that disturbs the person's peace or causes them to be alarmed

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To obtain a Peace Order, the person seeking protection must file a petition with the District Court, and the court will hold a hearing to determine whether the order, interim/temporary, should be granted. If granted, a Peace Order can require the respondent to stop committing the harassing or threatening behavior and may also include other provisions, such as staying away from the petitioner's home or workplace.

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A Protective Order, on the other hand, is a court order that provides protection from a family, relationship, or household member who has committed certain acts of abuse or violence. These acts can include, but are not limited to:

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• Causing or attempting to cause physical harm to the person

• Placing the person in fear of imminent serious bodily harm

• Assault, rape, or other sexual offenses

• Harassment

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To obtain a Protective Order, the person seeking protection must file a petition with the District Court, and the court will hold a hearing to determine whether the order should be granted. If granted, a Protective Order can require the respondent to stop committing the abusive or violent behavior and may also include other provisions, such as requiring the respondent to move out of a shared residence or to attend counseling.

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Both Peace Orders and Protective Orders can provide important protections for individuals who have been threatened or harmed by others, and violation of either order can result in criminal charges. It is important to seek legal advice if you believe you need, or have been charged with a Peace or Protective Order, as the process for obtaining one can be complex, and the consequences of violating an order can lead to criminal charges.