Interim Peace Orders in Maryland

An Interim Peace Order will contain a date and time (within two court-business days) on which you must present the order and application to a Judge in the District Court in order to obtain a Temporary Peace Order.

The Court will grant the Order if the judge finds there are “reasonable grounds” to grant it. The hearing is usually “ex-parte”, meaning that the court can grant you a Temporary Peace Order even if the Respondent does not appear.  The Interim or Temporary Peace Order is served upon the Respondent by a Sheriff.

In an Interim or Temporary Peace Order, the judge can order that the abuser:

  • Stop abusing you.
  • Stay away from you and not try to contact you or harass you at your home, school, job, or the place where you may be staying.