Legal Protection Against Cyberbullying and Cyberstalking in Southern Maryland
Cyberbullying and cyberstalking take an enormous toll on victims’ mental health.
People targeted online often feel completely alone and isolated, much like the solitary figure standing apart in an angry crowd.
Studies show adolescents hit by cyberbullying report higher levels of anxiety, depression and loneliness.
Disturbingly, victims face a 50% higher risk of suicidal thoughts.
In Maryland, news reports even document suicides triggered by relentless online abuse.
This severe emotional impact—fear, stress, and trauma—underscores why legal protectionsare so important for cyber harassment victims.
Maryland Law: Defining Cyberbullying and Cyberstalking
Maryland law treats persistent online harassment very seriously.
The criminal stalking statute (§3-802) applies whenever someone deliberately pursues or contacts another to cause fear or emotional distress.
Critically, the law explicitly includes conduct “by electronic communication” in the definition of stalking.
In other words, repeated text messages, emails, or social media contact that terrorize a person can meet the legal definition of stalking.
Separately, Maryland criminalizes severe cyberbullying.
The state’s “Grace’s Law” makes it a misdemeanor to use a computer or phone to bully a minor. An enhanced 2018 version even allows fines up to $10,000 and prison for up to three years (ten years if encouraging suicide) against offenders targeting minors.
Other statutes (like Md. Code, Criminal Law §3-805) forbid using electronic devices to harass someone, with penalties including jail time and fines.
In short, Maryland law recognizes that harmful messages, fake social-media profiles, or explicit threats sent online can be crimes—particularly if they cause fear of harm or serious emotional injury.
Protective Orders: Who Can Get One and What Counts as Abuse
A protective order (sometimes called a “restraining order”) is a civil court order commanding an abuser to stop harmful acts. In Maryland, it’s meant for people in certain relationships.
To qualify, the victim (petitioner) generally must be married to, live with, be related to, be the parent of a child with, or have been sexually involved with the alleged abuser. Vulnerable adults and recent rape victims also qualify.
Maryland defines “abuse” very broadly: it includes acts causing serious bodily injury or placing someone in fear of such harm, assault or rape, false imprisonment, stalking, or even “revenge porn”.
In practice this means that if an online harasser has stalked you (in-person or electronically) or committed any of these offenses, the court can issue a protective order.
If you do not fit one of these relationship categories, you may need a peace orderinstead (a similar protection order for non-family harassment).
But for most domestic and intimate relationships, a Maryland protective order is available. The order can include provisions like “no contact” or “no abuse” – forbidding the respondent from texting, calling, emailing, posting online, or even sending messages through friends.
It can also require staying away from your home, work, school or day care. Additional remedies may cover child custody, financial support, or removal of firearms from the abuser.
How to File for a Protective Order
Getting a protective order in Maryland involves several steps, but victims do not have to be alone.
After qualifying for protection, a victim (or their lawyer) files a petition for protection in court.
The case may start before a District Court Commissioner (after hours or weekends) or in a full court (during business hours). For emergency situations when court is closed, you can go to any on-duty commissioner’s office 24/7. If the commissioner or judge agrees the abuse occurred, they issue anInterim Protective Orderthat goes into effect immediately.
Within a few days, the court sets a hearing on a Temporary Protective Order. If the judge finds on that day that abuse happened and the legal requirements are met, they issue a temporary order.
This order is often granted ex parte (without the abuser present) and is effective upon service by the police. It typically lasts 7 days after service, or until a court hearing can be held (whichever is later).
If the respondent has not yet been served, the judge may require law enforcement to personally hand them a copy of the order.
The final step is a formal hearing, usually held within about a week. Both sides can present evidence and witnesses.
If the judge finds that the abuse did occur (or if the abuser agrees to the order), a Final Protective Order is granted. This order can last up to one year by default. (In some cases it may be extended to two years—for example if the petitioner had a prior order that just expired.)
The final order will include all needed protections: it can bar the abuser from contacting or abusing you in any way, evict them from the home, forbid them from your workplace or children’s schools, and impose custody or support arrangements.
The court will give you (the petitioner) a signed copy of the order, and law enforcement must serve a copy on the respondent.
Keep the order with you at all times and make sure the police and relevant agencies have it on file.
Order Duration and Enforcement
Protective orders carry real legal weight.
A Temporary Protective Order in Maryland remains in force for about one week (seven days after it is served), unless the court extends it (rarely, up to six months).
Final Protective Orders typically last up to one year, with the possibility of extension to two years under certain conditions.
In extreme cases, the law even allows asking for a permanent order that never expires.
Importantly, a protective order is enforceable by police.
Maryland law makes it clear that defying any interim, temporary or final protective order “may result in criminal prosecution…and imprisonment or fine or both”.
Many orders also state that violation may result in contempt of court. In practice, if the respondent contacts or harasses you in violation of the order, you should call 911 or your local police immediately – it’s their duty to enforce the order.
Courts take violations seriously: even a seemingly minor contact (like a text message or Facebook comment) can lead to arrest and criminal charges.
Knowing this, many respondents comply with orders, but if not, victims have the right to seek swift action from law enforcement.
Filing in Southern Maryland Counties
The protective order process is governed by state law, so the rules are the same in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s, and St. Mary’s Counties.
You can file in either the District or Circuit Court of the county where you or the abuser live.
Each of these counties has local courthouses that handle protective orders (for example, the District Court in Leonardtown for St. Mary’s County, or the Circuit Court in Prince Frederick for Calvert County).
Whether you file in Anne Arundel or Prince George’s, the forms and hearings follow the statewide procedures outlined above.
It’s important to note that no special state law exempts digital harassment in one county versus another—cyberstalking online in Prince George’s County is treated under the same statutes as in Charles County.
That said, each county has its own local support resources. Many Southern Maryland counties offer domestic violence or cyber safety programs to help victims fill out paperwork and navigate the courts.
(For example, advocacy groups in Prince George’s and Charles County provide legal assistance and counselors.) Local law enforcement in each county is also trained to serve and enforce protective orders.
Attorney Jonathan L. Haskell, Esq., is familiar with all these Southern Maryland courts and resources, ensuring that you know exactly where and how to file in your county.
How Attorney Jonathan L. Haskell Can Help
Attorney Jonathan L. Haskell, Esq. is dedicated to helping victims of cyberbullying and cyberstalking secure legal protection.
He understands that dealing with digital harassment in court can be frightening and confusing. Mr. Haskell guides clients step-by-step: he can help you gather evidence of the abuse (texts, emails, social media posts, etc.), document injuries or police reports, and complete the necessary forms.
He will accompany you through the interim and temporary hearings, advocating to the judge on your behalf.
With his experience in Maryland protective order law, Mr. Haskell can clarify what “abuse” the court will recognize and prepare you for testimony.
He makes sure the petition clearly explains each instance of harassment or stalking you’ve suffered, which strengthens your case. If the abuser contests the order in court, Mr. Haskell will fight to extend the protections, present any witnesses, and respond to the respondent’s claims.
He also advises clients on safety planning and what to do if the order is violated.
Importantly, as a Southern Maryland attorney serving Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s Counties, he brings local knowledge of each court’s procedures.
In short, Jonathan L. Haskell provides compassionate, practical legal help so victims don’t have to face cyberbullies alone.
Whether you need to file an emergency order late at night or prepare for a final hearing next week, his office stands ready to protect you.
With a protective order in hand, you can break free from digital harassment and focus on healing and moving forward safely.
