Protective, Peace, and Restraining Order Lawyers in Maryland and Washington, D.C.

With more than two decades of experience, our protective, peace, and restraining order lawyers in Maryland and Washington, D.C. are always ready to protect the rights and safety of our clients.

If you are going through any kind of abuse or harassment, Colbert Law Firm can provide you legal support so your quality of life is never impacted by someone else’s wrongdoings.

Restraining Order Lawyers

A restraining order is a court-issued legal order. It prohibits someone from initiating contact, harassing, or approaching another person. It’s used in hostile or emergency interpersonal situations. Though terminology varies, in D.C. and Maryland, similar protections are issued under the Civil Protection Order (D.C.) or Peace Order (Maryland) systems.

You can get a restraining order without professional help, but we don’t recommend that because you may fail to protect yourself if the person you’re filing against is well-prepared to question your credibility.

Protective Order Lawyers

In Maryland, a Protective Order applies only when there’s a familial, intimate partner, or sexual assault relationship. Issued after a petition and hearing, it includes provisions like stay-away orders, temporary custody, financial support, home eviction measures, and firearm restrictions.

In D.C., a Civil Protection Order (CPO) covers intrafamily relationships e.g. spouses, domestic partners, cohabitants, or those with shared children, or victims of sexual assault. It requires abusers to stay away, cease contact, and surrender firearms while granting temporary custody or support.

Since protective orders help safeguard you from serious criminal offense like sexual assault or physical harassment, you don’t want to risk your safety failing to get it because of one mistake or another. Our protective lawyers are there to protect your custody, housing, and firearm rights.

Peace Order Lawyers

In Maryland, a Peace Order is designed for non-family scenarios, involving neighbors, strangers, and co-workers to cover harassment, stalking, threats, trespass, revenge porn, or malicious property damage. However, remember that you cannot file a Peace Order if your relationship qualifies for a Protective Order.

Neighbor Dispute Lawyers

Neighbor disputes are a common phenomenon that start small but soon turn into a menace. They arise from many issues, such as lifestyle differences, ambiguous boundaries, or conflicting expectations.

Not every dispute can be resolved with the same legal approach. Sometimes, informal negotiation mediated by a neighbor dispute attorney works wonders. If that fails, civil litigation may be necessary.

Colbert Law Firm is there to stand by your side and safeguard your peace of mind.

What is a Peace Order?

In Maryland, a Peace Order is designed for non-family scenarios, involving neighbors, strangers, and co-workers to cover harassment, stalking, threats, trespass, revenge porn, or malicious property damage. However, remember that you cannot file a Peace Order if your relationship qualifies for a Protective Order.

While Washington, D.C. does not use the term "peace order", if you're not in a familial relationship, you can get a Civil Protection Order under non-domestic provisions or file for a restraining order under similar terms.

When Can You File?

Protective Order (MD): If you've been physically abused, threatened, sexually assaulted, or fear for safety by a spouse, ex, parent, child, roommate, someone you share children with, or a romantic partner at any time.

Peace Order (MD): When harassed, stalked, threatened, or had property damaged by a non-family member. It also covers electronic or sexual privacy invasions and must occur within 30 days for a peace order .

CPO (D.C.): If you're a family/household member or victim of sexual assault, you can file. It requires evidence of abuse, threats, stalking, or property damage.

Duration of Orders

Temporary CPOs (D.C.): Up to 14 days and renewable in 14-day or 28-day increments.

Final CPOs (D.C.): Issued after full hearing and last up to one year with possible extensions.

Protective Orders (MD): Duration is determined by the court; usually one year and extendable with cause.

Peace Orders (MD): Valid up to six months.

Penalties for Violating an Order

Violating any of these orders results in serious consequences:

Contempt of Court: A judge can jail the violator, impose fines, or both.

Criminal Charges: In both D.C. and Maryland, violating protective or peace orders is considered a crime with penalties, including jail time.

Firearms Violation: If a protective order includes a firearms ban, possessing weapons means you might face additional charges under state and federal law.

Why Hire Our Protective, Peace, And Restraining Order Lawyers In Maryland And Washington, D.C.?

1. Deep Local Expertise
We’re well-familiar with Maryland’s District and Circuit Court systems and how protective and peace orders differ, and how they align with D.C.’s Domestic Violence Division.

2. Strategic Relief
We help you identify the strongest claim for protection and guide you through application, hearings, and enforcement.

3. Maximize Protection
Beyond standard relief, we can seek custody support, eviction from shared homes, and enforcement of firearm surrender.

4. Aggressive Enforcement
We ensure violations are reported, prosecuted, and your safety maintained.

5. Personal Handlingc
We stay with you through hearings, extensions, and modifications if threats resurface.