Whether you need a protective or peace order to keep yourself safe — or you’ve been served with one you believe is unjust — Atkinson Law has nearly 20 years of experience handling both sides of these proceedings in Maryland courts. We know this process. We know what it takes to get the outcome you need.

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Two Types of Orders. Two Types of Clients. One Firm That Handles Both.

Protective orders and peace orders are civil legal documents — but their consequences are anything but civil. A final protective order can remove someone from their home, prohibit all contact with their children, require the surrender of every firearm they own, and appear in background checks that affect employment and housing. Violating either type of order is a criminal offense that can result in immediate arrest, fines, and jail time.

At Atkinson Law, we represent clients on both sides of these proceedings. We help people who are being harassed, stalked, or abused obtain the legal protection they need. And we represent people who have been served with an order they believe is inaccurate, exaggerated, or filed for tactical reasons — ensuring their side of the story is fully and fairly presented at every hearing.

These cases move fast. Interim orders are issued without notice. Temporary order hearings are scheduled within days. The window to prepare a meaningful defense or petition is narrow. With nearly 20 years of experience in these proceedings across Baltimore County, Harford County, Baltimore City, and throughout Maryland, we know how to use that window effectively.

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Our Approach — Whether You’re Seeking an Order or Responding to One

Our three-pillar framework applies to every client we represent in protective and peace order proceedings — petitioners and respondents alike:

Same Goal, Different Rules. Knowing Which Applies to You Changes Everything.

Both protective orders and peace orders are civil court orders that restrict one person’s contact with another. But they are governed by different statutes, apply to different relationships, offer different types of relief, and carry different timelines. Here’s how they compare:

If you’re uncertain which type of order applies to your situation — whether you’re seeking protection or responding to a petition — that’s exactly the kind of question we answer in an initial consultation. Getting this right at the outset determines which court you file in, what relief is available, and what the process looks like from here.

Three Stages. A Timeline That Moves Fast. Here’s What to Expect.

Whether you are the petitioner or the respondent, understanding the three-stage process that governs both protective and peace orders in Maryland is essential to preparing effectively. Each stage has different rules, different opportunities, and different consequences.

Stage 1: The Interim Order — Issued Without Notice, Often Without Warning

A petition for a protective or peace order can be filed at any time at the District Court clerk’s office — or, outside of business hours, before a District Court commissioner. If the commissioner or clerk finds reasonable grounds that the prohibited conduct occurred, they can issue an interim order immediately, without a hearing and without notifying the respondent.

An interim order goes into effect the moment it is served. For respondents, this can mean receiving notice that you cannot contact your partner, return to your home, or possess your firearms — with no prior warning and no opportunity to be heard. The interim order remains in effect until the next court session, typically within two business days.

Stage 2: The Temporary Order Hearing — The Petitioner’s Chance to Be Heard First

At the temporary order hearing, a judge reviews the petitioner’s account and determines whether to issue a temporary protective or peace order. This hearing typically takes place without the respondent — in many cases, the respondent has not yet been formally served and has no opportunity to appear or respond.

If a temporary order is issued, it remains in effect until the final hearing, which is usually scheduled approximately one week later. For petitioners, this is an important stage to document the evidence and establish the pattern of conduct clearly. For respondents, the temporary order period is the window to prepare a full defense for the final hearing.

Stage 3: The Final Hearing — Where Both Sides Are Heard

The final hearing is the first proceeding where both the petitioner and the respondent have the opportunity to present evidence, call witnesses, and make their case before a judge. The legal standard is preponderance of the evidence — meaning the petitioner must establish that it is more likely than not that the alleged conduct occurred.

This is where the outcome is determined. A final protective order can remain in effect for up to one year (and in specific circumstances, permanently). A final peace order is in effect for up to six months. Both can be renewed.

For respondents, the final hearing is the most important moment in the entire process. Appearing without preparation — or without legal representation — at a final hearing is one of the most common reasons respondents end up with orders they could have successfully challenged.

The Restrictions Are Specific, Immediate, and Criminally Enforceable

People often underestimate how sweeping the restrictions in a protective or peace order can be. Once an order is in place — even a temporary one — the respondent is legally required to comply with every provision. Violation is not a civil matter. It is a criminal offense.

What a Protective Order Can Prohibit or Require

•        All contact with the petitioner — in person, by phone, by text, by email, through third parties, or through social media

•        Returning to or entering a shared home, even if you are on the lease or own the property

•        Contact with the petitioner’s children, including your own children if they reside with the petitioner

•        Going within a specified distance of the petitioner’s home, workplace, school, or other named locations

•        Possession, purchase, or transfer of any firearm — state and federal law both apply

•        Temporary custody arrangements, emergency family maintenance, or access to a jointly owned vehicle (in final protective orders)

What a Peace Order Can Prohibit or Require

•        All contact with the petitioner by any means

•        Entry onto or near the petitioner’s property or workplace

•        Any act that constitutes harassment, stalking, or cyberstalking

•        Participation in mandatory counseling or treatment (peace orders, unlike protective orders, can specifically require this)

Violating Either Order Is a Criminal Offense

Any violation of a protective order or a peace order — a single text message, driving past a prohibited location, or contacting the petitioner through a friend — is a criminal offense in Maryland carrying up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine for a first violation. Subsequent violations or violations involving physical contact carry escalating penalties. We counsel every client we represent on exactly what compliance requires, because the cost of a misunderstanding is too high.

You Deserve Protection. We Know How to Get It.

If you are being harassed, stalked, threatened, or abused — by a partner, a family member, a neighbor, a former colleague, or anyone else — Maryland law provides you with legal tools to stop the contact and protect yourself. We help you use those tools effectively.

We Help You Determine Which Order Applies to Your Situation

The distinction between a protective order and a peace order depends on your relationship with the person you need protection from. Getting this right at the start determines which court you file in, what relief is available, and how strong your petition can be. We evaluate your situation and guide you toward the right avenue before you take any step.

We Help You Document the Evidence That Matters

A petition supported by clear, organized documentation — text messages, emails, photographs, medical records, police reports, witness accounts — is far more persuasive at a hearing than an undocumented account, however credible. We help you assemble and present your evidence in the form that gives your petition the strongest possible foundation.

We Represent You at Every Hearing

From the initial petition through the temporary and final hearings, we stand with you in court. We present your evidence, examine witnesses, respond to the respondent’s account, and advocate for the full scope of protection the facts support. You should not have to navigate this process alone, and with Atkinson Law, you don’t.

Being Served Doesn’t Mean You’re Guilty. Your Side of the Story Deserves to Be Heard.

Being served with a protective or peace order is disorienting — especially when the petition doesn’t accurately describe what happened, or when you believe it’s been filed for tactical reasons in a custody or divorce dispute. You have the right to contest the order at the final hearing, and that right is worth exercising.

Comply Immediately — Then Call Us

The single most important thing you can do when served with an order is comply with every provision immediately — regardless of whether you believe the allegations are accurate. A violation of even an interim or temporary order you intend to contest is a criminal offense. Comply fully, document your compliance, and call us as soon as possible to prepare for your hearing.

Your Final Hearing Is Your Opportunity — Don’t Waste It

The final hearing is where the full picture gets presented. We prepare for final hearings the same way we prepare for criminal trials: reviewing all available evidence, identifying inconsistencies in the petitioner’s account, preparing you to testify, marshaling witnesses, and building the clearest possible presentation of what actually happened. Many respondents who appear at final hearings without legal representation find that the hearing moves faster and differently than they expected. Don’t let that happen.

We Identify Whether the Order Has Tactical Motivations

Protective orders filed in the context of a pending divorce or custody dispute sometimes have less to do with immediate safety and more to do with gaining an advantage in family court. We are experienced in identifying these dynamics, presenting the full relationship context to the court, and challenging petitions that overstate or mischaracterize the situation.

Nearly 20 Years on Both Sides of These Cases. We Know This Process.

We Represent Both Petitioners and Respondents

Most attorneys handle these proceedings from one side only. We handle both — which means we understand the strategies, arguments, and evidence patterns used by both petitioners and respondents. That dual experience makes us more effective on whichever side of the proceeding we’re on.

Two Attorneys Prepare Every Case Together

Protective and peace order hearings can be brief, but the preparation behind them should be thorough. Two attorneys reviewing your matter means two people evaluating the evidence, anticipating the other side’s arguments, and building your presentation from every angle. For hearings that often last under an hour, preparation is everything.

We Handle Cases Locally and Statewide

With offices in White Marsh and Bel Air, we regularly appear in the District Courts of Baltimore County and Harford County, as well as Baltimore City Circuit Court and courts throughout Maryland. We know the local courts, the local procedures, and what effective advocacy looks like in each jurisdiction.

Free Initial Consultations

We offer free initial consultations for protective and peace order matters on both sides. Given the speed at which these cases move, we encourage you to call as soon as you receive or are served with an order — the preparation window is short.

Whether You Need Protection or You Need to Contest an Order — We’re Ready.

Protective and peace order proceedings are among the fastest-moving cases in the Maryland court system. The time to act is now — not after the next hearing has passed or the order has become final by default. Atkinson Law is ready to step in, prepare your case, and advocate for the outcome you need.

Nearly 20 years of experience. Two attorneys on every case. Both sides of the proceeding.

Protect. Preserve. Rebuild.

Serving clients in White Marsh, Bel Air, Towson, Parkville, Baltimore City, and throughout Baltimore County, Harford County, and Maryland statewide.

[ Schedule a Free Consultation ]  |  [ 410-882-9595 ]  |  [ 443-384-0013 (Bel Air) ]