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What to do in case of domestic assault in Columbia, Maryland

Written by
24th, 2017

Many people think that being part of a family is only peace and happiness, but unfortunately, for some, this is not the case. A lot of people have to deal with domestic assault in Columbia, Maryland and in this article, you will find the valuable information needed to help you put an end to the abuse. Domestic abuse is not to be tolerated regardless of the circumstances.

To help you with your case and offer you legal advice it is best to contact a personal injury lawyer from Columbia, Maryland.

What is considered domestic assault?

If you ask your Columbia injury lawyer, they will explain to you that domestic abuse does not only involve physical harm. In fact, there are more situations which qualify as domestic abuse, including:

  • Acts that result in bodily harm
  • Psychological and physical abuse within the family
  • Acts that place other family members in fear of severe bodily harm
  • Stalking
  • Sexual offense and rape within the family
  • Kidnapping or false imprisonment

Your personal injury attorney from Columbia, Maryland, can counsel you depending on your case and establish what type of domestic abuse you’ve gone through.

Your legal possibilities

Based on legal rights and civil relief, your Columbia injury attorney will present you with two options: a peace order or a protective order. It is best to consult with your Columbia injury lawyer before making a decision because you may not fully understand what each of these means.

The protective order may help you distance yourself from the abuser by making them leave the house. You will also be awarded temporary custody of the children (if any) and be allowed to use joint assets, while the abuser will have to surrender their firearms.

The peace order permits any abused person to seek relief in court. Unlike the protective order, in this case, the relationship between the abuser and the victim is irrelevant. But in the case of domestic abuse your personal injury attorney from Columbia, Maryland, will recommend you to seek a protective order, as it is designed especially for family matters.

Your Columbia injury lawyer knows the protective order takes into account the logistic issues when someone from your family is abusing you or another member of your family. The protective order is more suited for the following abuser-victim relationship:

  • Related by marriage, blood, or adoption
  • Former or current spouses
  • Child-parent and stepchild (when you lived together for more than 90 days in the last year)
  • Having lived together intimately for more than 90 days in the last year
  • Sexual relationship within the last year before your Columbia injury attorney files the petition
  • Parents of a child
  • Caretaker and vulnerable adult relationship

You can ask your legal adviser more questions about peace orders and protective orders and which may better suit your case and formulate the best strategy to receive the compensation you deserve.

Contact the best personal injury lawyer from Columbia, Maryland at (443) 569-3950 or send an email at chris@annapolisaccidentattoreny.com.