What is a Protective Order A Protective Order is a civil legal
order issued by a state court which requires one person to stop
harming another person. All Protective Order laws are state
laws, not federal laws, and each state has a different law (also
called a statute). In general, domestic violence Protective
Order laws establish who can file for an order, what protection
or relief a person can get from such an order, how the order
will be enforced and the length of time that the Protective
Order is in effect. Beginning October 1, 2009 in Maryland, a
Protective Order can remain in effect for up to two years from
the date issued. While there are differences from state to
state, all Protective Order statutes permit the court to order
the abuser to stop hurting or threatening you, to stay away from
you, your home, your workplace or school and stop contacting
you. You may ask the court to order that all contact, whether by
telephone, notes, mail, fax, e-mail or delivery of flowers or
gifts, is prohibited. Maryla