ANNE ARUNDEL, CALVERT, CHARLES, ST. MARY’S & PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTIES.
Peace Orders | Haskell & Dyer
Your Relationship to the Other Person Decides Which Order You File.
When the other person is not a family member or partner, a neighbor, a coworker, or an acquaintance, a protective order does not apply. A peace order does. We handle these on both sides, from filing to defense.
Pick the Right Order
Filing the wrong one costs you time.
Protective orders and peace orders are not interchangeable. The difference is your relationship to the other person. File the wrong one and a court can turn you away, which delays the protection you need. We make sure you file the right order the first time.
How It Differs
Peace Order or Protective Order?
The two look similar but split on one question: who the other person is to you.
When It Fits
A Peace Order Is for Everyone Else
If the person harassing or threatening you is a neighbor, a coworker, an acquaintance, a stranger, or a date you never lived with, a peace order is the tool. It can order them to stop the conduct, stay away, and have no contact with you.
The Difference
Relationship Decides Which One
A protective order is for close and family relationships. A peace order covers people outside that circle. Peace orders are filed in District Court and usually run for a shorter time than protective orders. We confirm which one your situation calls for.
Who They Cover
When a Peace Order Applies
Peace orders fit the conflicts that fall outside family or household relationships.
Neighbors
Coworkers
Acquaintances
Strangers
Dates you never lived with
Both filing and defense
Why It Matters
What a Peace Order Can Do
A peace order gives you real, enforceable distance from someone who is making your life unsafe.
Stop
Order the conduct to end
Stay Away
From your home and work
No Contact
Calls, texts, and showing up
Enforce
Police can act if it is broken
How We Handle Peace Orders
Whether you need protection or you are defending against a petition, we make the process clear and we are with you at the hearing.
We Pick the Right Order
We confirm whether a peace order or protective order fits, so you file the right one and avoid a wasted trip to court.
We Build the Case
For petitioners, we gather the messages, records, and witnesses that show the conduct and the need for an order.
We Defend the Accused
For respondents, we challenge thin claims and present your side, because a peace order still carries real consequences.
We Show Up With You
You are not alone at the hearing. We make your case clearly and handle the back-and-forth in the courtroom.
Common Questions
Peace Orders, Answered
What is the difference between a peace order and a protective order?
The difference is your relationship to the other person. Protective orders are for close or family relationships: spouses, partners, relatives, and people who share a home. Peace orders are for everyone else: neighbors, coworkers, acquaintances, and strangers. The conduct can look the same, but the right order depends on who the person is to you.
Who can I file a peace order against?
Someone you are not in a family or household relationship with. That covers a neighbor, a coworker, an acquaintance, a stranger, or a person you dated but never lived with. If the person is a spouse, partner, relative, or housemate, you would seek a protective order instead. We help you confirm which one applies before you file.
What can a peace order do?
A peace order can direct the other person to stop the harassing or threatening conduct, stay away from your home and work, and have no contact with you. If they violate it, police can act. It gives you enforceable distance from someone outside your family or household who is making your life unsafe.
How long does a peace order last?
Peace orders generally run for a shorter period than protective orders, and the court can extend one in some situations. Exact timeframes are set by Maryland law and can change, so we tell you what to expect for your specific case rather than relying on a number that may be out of date.
Can I defend against a peace order filed against me?
Yes. A peace order is not automatic, and you have the right to tell your side at the hearing. We challenge weak or exaggerated claims and present your version with evidence. Even though a peace order is civil, it still carries consequences worth taking seriously, so a real defense matters.
Need a Peace Order, or Facing One? We Handle Both.
From filing the right order to defending against one, we make the process clear and stand with you at the hearing. Reach out and we will get started.
Available 24/7: 240-687-0179