What is a restraining order?

A restraining order is a legal document issued by a court that orders someone to stay away from another person. It can be issued in either criminal or civil court proceedings in Maryland. In the criminal court system, a restraining order is referred to as a ‘protective order.’ It orders the accused to stay away from the alleged victim or victims. This is usually done to protect the victim from further harm or intimidation. These orders can be issued before or after charges are filed. In the civil court system, a restraining order is often referred to as an ‘injunction.’ This type of restraining order is usually issued when two parties are in dispute and one party is seeking protection from the other. It orders the person to stay away from the other party and to refrain from contacting them in any way. Restraining orders are legally enforceable and can be enforced by police. Violating a restraining order is considered a criminal offense and can result in jail time or fines. It is important to take restraining orders seriously and to abide by any restrictions outlined in the court order.

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