1. Determine if a no-contact order is appropriate. No-contact orders are typically issued in cases of domestic violence, harassment, stalking, or other situations where there is a risk of physical or emotional harm to the protected person. If you are unsure of whether a no-contact order is right for your situation, you can consult with a lawyer or the local domestic violence shelter.
2. File a petition for a no-contact order. The petition must be filed at the District Court in the county where the protected person resides. The petition must include the following information:
* The name and address of the protected person
* The name and address of the respondent (the person against whom the order is being requested)
* A statement of the grounds for the order (such as domestic violence, harassment, or stalking)
* A request for the specific terms of the order (such as no contact, no coming within a certain distance, etc.)
3. Serve the petition on the respondent. Once the petition is filed, the respondent must be served with a copy of it. This can be done by personal service (by giving the respondent a copy of the petition in person), substituted service (by leaving a copy of the petition with a member of the respondent's household), or by certified mail.
4. Attend the hearing. After the petition is filed and served, the court will schedule a hearing to consider the request for a no-contact order. Both the protected person and the respondent must attend the hearing. The judge will consider the evidence presented by both sides and then decide whether to issue the order.
5. Enforce the order. If the court issues a no-contact order, it is important to ensure that the order is enforced. If the respondent violates the order, the protected person can call the police or file a motion for contempt of court.
For more information on obtaining a no-contact order in Maryland, you can contact your local District Court or the Maryland State Courts website.
