Domestic violence law determines how effect protective orders are in stopping abuse. Laws determine how effectively abusers can be criminally prosecuted and required to attend needed mental health, addiction, or anger management services.
Maryland’s protective order law isn’t perfect, but it’s a good strong law. But where’s the justice?
Court Watch has worked hard to change Maryland laws that lack enforcement measures to take guns from convicted abusers. A new law will take effect Oct. 1, 2018 that is a great first step. For the first time, judges will be required to orally tell the abuser that he is disqualified from having a gun. The judge is required to also verbally describe the new limitation in the law: abusers must turn in all guns in their possession within 48 hours.
