Category: Domestic Violence Law

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.

Progress on safe child exchange services

Survivors of domestic violence need safe places they can go to transfer their children for visits with the other parent without experiencing fear or injury. Court Watch leaders had a good meeting today with County Councilmember George Leventhal, Sheriff Popkin, Uma Ahluwalia (Director of DHSS) and their staffs. We discussed the urgent need for safe exchange […]

Making a difference, focusing on work to be done

Court Watch cheered the announcement that the Human Rights Campaign will use its incredible advocacy skills to help push for tighter controls on guns. Court Watch is also focused on gun violence as part of our mission, and was proud to be cited in Tuesday’s Washington Post for our report that inspired gun legislation in […]