Domestic violence stories about individual victims and abusers in Maryland courts bring to life the need for judges, bailiffs, clerks and interpreters to use simple, nationally-recommended practices that help keep victims safe. Overall, Montgomery County judges use these practices approximately 51% of the time.
Court Watch volunteers who collect data in County courtrooms, are trained to look for both positive and negative practices. Both are reflected in the stories below.
When a judge accuses a credible petitioner of lying, or denies a woman with a photograph of a bruise a protective order, we want our community to know. Maryland has a strong protective order law. But where’s the justice?
