Anne Arundel County Domestic Violence Lawyer
Domestic violence is an issue that can affect our whole society. Because of the dramatic nature of the matter, the law approaches any accusation seriously. There are different aspects to any domestic violence charge. They may include an arrest, an accusation of assault, a protective or peace order, or a judicial hearing.
No matter what portion you are facing, you do not have to face it alone. A representative may be helpful in finding your balance and figuring out the best way forward.
If you believe you may have to deal with any of the issues mentioned above, do not ignore the situation. What may not be a drastic event currently could quickly morph into a life-changing issue.
An Anne Arundel county domestic violence lawyer who has researched and worked in this area may be invaluable. Seek out advice from an experienced defense attorney who understands the system and the laws at issue.
Domestic Violence Issues in Anne Arundel County
Domestic violence laws apply to family or household members, such as:
- Current or former spouses
- People who lived together at least 90 days in the past year
- People related by blood, marriage or adoption
- People involved in a relationship involving a vulnerable adult
- People have a child together
- People who had a sexual relationship within the past year
There are various types of abuse that come within the definition of domestic violence. A person may not assault, physically harm, threaten, rape, stalk or prohibit someone from leaving an area.
Civil Aspect of Domestic Violence
Besides the criminal aspect of domestic violence, there is a civil element where an alleged victim can request a protective or peace order from the court.
Protective Order
A protective order is an order issued by a judge who may order an alleged aggressor to do or not do different actions based on an accusation of domestic abuse. Some examples include telling the alleged abuser to stop abusing the alleged victim, stay out of any joint living space, not contact the alleged victim and award custody of any minor children who may be involved.
Peace Order
A peace order is similar to a protective order, but the parties involved may lack the more intimate relationship described above. It operates in a similar manner to a restraining order. The person who wishes to be left alone requests aid from the court.
Violating an Order of Protection
People who are subject to protective orders must follow them. If they do not, the court may order a penalty. Two possible outcomes for a violation are criminal prosecution or imprisonment, a fine or both, as detailed in the Maryland Family Law §4-508.
According to Family Law §4-509, a first offense may result in the court ordering the person to pay a fine of up to $1000 and a jail sentence of no more than 90 days. If the court convicts someone of a second offense, the punishment may be no more than $2,500 and no more than one year in jail.
Let an Anne Arundel County Domestic Violence Attorney Assist You
The reasons you may find yourself facing any of the above-mentioned issues do not matter. The important factor is protecting your rights and your freedom. Typically time may affect the outcome of a domestic violence case, so make sure you take action immediately. An aggressive and knowledgeable attorney may be your best asset when planning your defense. Call an Anne Arundel county domestic violence lawyer to receive more information and perhaps set your mind at ease.