Category: Protective Orders

Protective orders are the best tool we have to reduce the risks that domestic violence victims’ face as they separate from abusive partners. Protective orders reduce the severity and frequency of violence, or end it altogether, in about 70% of cases. To be effective, protective orders must be paired with a safety plan that can include steps such as staying at an address that is unknown to the abuser, shelter, criminal charges, or changing the locks at home.

Maryland has a strong protective order law, but where’s the justice? Victims face many barriers to justice in our courts. The stories below include Maryland protective order data, information on common barriers, and many stories our volunteers have documented in court about justice denied.

Share your thoughts on what needs to change in our courts and how we can best expand justice for domestic violence survivors.

Gun Restrictions in Domestic Violence Protective Orders: Judicial Practices in Montgomery County District Court, January 2024-July 2025

Domestic violence protective orders play a critical role in keeping firearms away from abusers under federal and Maryland law. When effectively enforced, protective orders that bar domestic abusers from having guns protect victims and their
families and save lives. The proposed Family and Law Enforcement Protection Act
would strengthen Maryland law by mandating removal of guns from abusers earlier in the protective order process (Maryland General Assembly, 2026).
Since 2011, Court Watch Montgomery has monitored judicial practices in protective
order hearings in Montgomery County District Court. Our findings help the public understand what happens in domestic violence courtrooms and provide context for consideration of changes in law, policy, or practice.

2025 CWM Staggered Exit Report

Protective orders that prohibit domestic abusers from having contact with their victims
are central to legal avenues to reduce domestic violence. But hearings involving
domestic violence have “one of the highest, if not the highest” potential for violence in
the courthouse, according to a joint report from the National Center for State Courts
and Center for Court Innovation (2020). In these emotionally charged hearings, the risk
of intimidation, threats or physical assault is not limited to the parties, but presents a
safety risk for anyone present in the courtroom or in the hallways, regardless of whether
a protective order is granted or not.

Court Watch 2023 Yearly Protective Order Outcomes Report

In 2023, nearly 25,000 domestic violence final protective order hearings were held in Maryland courts, including almost 3,000 in Montgomery County (Maryland Courts, 2023). Protective orders were granted in less than half of these hearings, with the rest denied or dismissed. This data suggests that some victims may not be getting the full protections needed, including the mandatory protection against gun possession by their abuser. Protective orders are vital tools for reducing or stopping domestic violence when paired with a strong safety plan and proper enforcement.

When courts are closed

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Kudos to the judge

Kudos to the judge at District Court who recently: Okayed a respondent’s request to go put money in his parking meter, saying, “Sure. I don’t want you to get a ticket. That’s $40.” In a separate case, expressed concern at the beginning of a hearing that the respondent had been speaking with the petitioner prior […]

Updates from protective order court, #1

Judge fails to set hearings on needed protective order extensions

Are domestic violence victims in Maryland able to get protective order extensions when they can show a court that they have “good cause?” Under Maryland law, if a petitioner has “good cause” for their request a judge can, and should, extend the order for six months to provide continued protection. Generally, Montgomery County District Court […]

Disappearing final protective orders

It’s not easy to make the transition from domestic violence victim to survivor. A disappearing final protective order doesn’t help. In fact, it can be incredibly dangerous. After a final protective order has been granted the judge describes what kinds of behaviors the order restricts and what services or remedies it requires. Both parties receive […]

Where Marylanders file for protective orders may surprise you

Where domestic violence victims in Maryland file for protective orders greatly affects their access to full justice. We have work to do! County and state policymakers have appropriately put substantial thought and funds into court-based services for domestic violence victims. Far too many victims still come to court and are forced to fill out impossible-to-understand […]

Who files protective orders in Maryland? Do they get protection?

Who is filing protective orders in Montgomery County Maryland? How many residents actually get lasting protection? Court Watch’s new report, “A closer look at protective orders in Montgomery County,” shows that only about 37% of victims who requested protection from the court received a final protective order that provided “no contact” for one year. Not […]