Maryland
Maryland Restraining Order Laws (2026): Protective Orders and Peace Orders
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited August 17, 2026). · Reviewed by the RecordingLaw editorial team. · Law checked current as of August 17, 2026. · 3 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
In Maryland, a Protective Order is available to anyone who has experienced abuse within a qualifying domestic relationship, and a final order can last up to 1 year (or longer under specific conditions). A separate Peace Order is available to victims of harassment, stalking, or assault who do not share a qualifying domestic relationship with the person who harmed them.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For confidential help 24/7, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (text START to 88788).
Types of restraining orders in Maryland
Maryland uses two separate legal frameworks for civil protective orders, and understanding which applies to your situation is important.
The Protective Order (Maryland Code, Family Law Article sections 4-501 through 4-516) is designed for victims of abuse in domestic or intimate-partner relationships. Abuse is defined exhaustively in section 4-501(b)(1): an act that causes serious bodily harm; an act that places a person eligible for relief in fear of imminent serious bodily harm; assault in any degree; rape or a sexual offense under Criminal Law sections 3-303, 3-304, 3-307, or 3-308, or an attempt; false imprisonment; stalking under Criminal Law section 3-802; and revenge porn under Criminal Law section 3-809.
Harassment under Criminal Law section 3-803 is not on that list. Harassment is a Peace Order ground, not a Protective Order ground, so a petitioner whose only allegation is harassment needs the peace-order track even if the parties are family.
The Peace Order (Maryland Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article sections 3-1501 through 3-1513) is for anyone who has been the victim of harassment, stalking, assault, or other qualifying conduct by a person with whom they do NOT share a qualifying domestic relationship. A Peace Order is the path for neighbors, coworkers, acquaintances, or strangers who do not meet the family-law relationship threshold.
Both order types follow the same three-tier structure (interim, temporary, and final), making Maryland's system unusually accessible: a commissioner is available around the clock to issue an interim order even when the courthouse is closed.
Who can get a restraining order in Maryland?
The qualifying relationship is the dividing line between the two tracks.
For a Protective Order, you must have one of the following relationships with the respondent:
- Current or former spouse
- Current or former cohabitant who had a sexual relationship with you AND lived with you for at least 90 days within the year before you filed
- A person you share a child with
- A parent, stepparent, child, or stepchild who resided with you for at least 90 days within the year before filing
- A blood relative, in-law, or adoptive relative -- no cohabitation requirement applies to this category
- A person with whom you had a sexual relationship within the past year
- A vulnerable adult who is a victim of abuse by a caretaker or household member
- A victim of sexual assault within the past 6 months (even without a prior relationship with the respondent, for certain severe offenses)
For a Peace Order, there is no relationship requirement, but there is a strict deadline. Courts and Judicial Proceedings section 3-1503(a)(1) allows a peace-order petition only if the qualifying act occurred within 30 days before the petition is filed. The qualifying acts are: an act causing serious bodily harm; an act placing you in fear of imminent serious bodily harm; assault in any degree; false imprisonment; harassment; stalking; trespass; malicious destruction of property; misuse of telephone facilities or equipment; misuse of electronic communication or an interactive computer service; revenge porn; and visual surveillance.
If the incident is more than 30 days old, a Peace Order is not available for it. A later qualifying act can restart the window, and a court self-help center or advocate can help you identify other remedies.
How to file for a restraining order in Maryland
Where you file depends on which order you need. A Protective Order petition may be filed in either a Maryland District Court or a circuit court, because Family Law section 4-501(f) defines court for that subtitle as the District Court or a circuit court in this State. A Peace Order is different: Courts and Judicial Proceedings section 3-1501(c) defines court for the peace-order subtitle as the District Court of Maryland, and section 3-1503(a)(1) directs the petition to the court or to a commissioner. A Peace Order therefore cannot be filed in a circuit court.
Because commissioners are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, you can seek an Interim Order at any time, even on a weekend or holiday, by contacting the District Court commissioner. This is the fastest avenue for immediate protection.
For a standard filing during court hours, you will complete a petition describing the conduct, your relationship to the respondent (for a Protective Order), and the specific relief you are seeking. Maryland has its own statute on cost: under Family Law section 4-504(c), a petitioner may not be required to pay a filing fee or costs for the issuance or service of an interim, temporary, or final Protective Order, or for a witness subpoena. In a Peace Order case, section 3-1505(d)(1)(vi) lets the judge order either party to pay the filing fees and costs of the proceeding, so ask the District Court clerk about fees and any waiver before you file.
Court self-help centers at each District Court can assist you with the forms. Many local domestic-violence organizations also provide free legal advocates who can accompany you and help you present your case. The Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence can connect you with services in your county.
After you file, a judge will review your petition ex parte (without the respondent present) and, if the facts show sufficient grounds, issue a Temporary Order on the spot. The respondent is then served, and a full hearing is scheduled.
Temporary vs. final orders: how long they last
Maryland's three-tier system provides layered protection as a case moves toward a final hearing.
Interim Protective or Peace Order: Issued by a District Court commissioner at any hour of the day or night. Valid until a judge can hold a hearing, generally within 1 to 2 judicial business days. This is the emergency tier.
Temporary Protective or Peace Order: Issued by a judge ex parte after reviewing your petition. The respondent is served, and a full hearing is set within 7 days of service. The temporary order stays in effect until that hearing. The full hearing is set within 7 days of service, so get a free case evaluation from a Maryland family lawyer to prepare evidence for the final order (attorney advertising).
Final Order: Issued after a full hearing at which both parties may present evidence.
| Order Stage | Protective Order Duration | Peace Order Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Interim (commissioner) | Until judge hearing (1-2 business days) | Until judge hearing (1-2 business days) |
| Temporary (judge, ex parte) | Until final hearing (hearing within 7 days of service) | Until final hearing (hearing within 7 days of service) |
| Final | Up to 1 year (extendable; see below) | Up to 6 months (extendable 6 months for good cause) |
Maryland's Family Law Article provides three distinct paths for extending protection beyond a final Protective Order's initial term. The 6-month and 2-year extensions are governed by section 4-507; the permanent order is a separate mechanism under section 4-506(k):
Six-month extension for good cause: On a showing of good cause at a further hearing, the court may extend the order by 6 months.
Two-year extension: The court may extend the order for up to 2 years from the date the extension is granted if (a) the respondent committed a subsequent act of abuse against a protected person during the term of the existing order, or (b) the respondent consents to the extension. No felony conviction is required for this path.
Permanent order (Md. Family Law 4-506(k)): At the protected person's request, a court must issue a permanent Protective Order if the respondent was convicted of the act of abuse that led to the order (or of a subsequent act of abuse committed while the order was in effect), was sentenced to at least 5 years in prison, and has served at least 12 months of that sentence -- or if the respondent consents to it. The protected person must request the permanent order.
Firearms and a Maryland protective order
Final Protective Orders carry a mandatory firearms-surrender requirement. Under Family Law section 4-506(f), when a final Protective Order is issued, the respondent must surrender all firearms to law enforcement and refrain from possessing any firearm for the duration of the order.
Peace Orders are different, and the difference is structural rather than discretionary. Courts and Judicial Proceedings section 3-1505(d)(1) sets out the complete list of relief a final Peace Order may contain: refraining from the qualifying act, refraining from contact or harassment, staying out of the petitioner's residence, staying away from the petitioner's workplace, school, or temporary residence, counseling or mediation, filing fees and costs, and removal or repositioning of a visual-surveillance device. Firearms appear nowhere in that list, and section 3-1505(d)(2) directs that the order contain only the relief that is minimally necessary to protect the petitioner. The protective-order statute gives a judge a catch-all power to order any other relief necessary to protect an eligible person (Family Law section 4-506(d)(14)); the peace-order statute has no equivalent catch-all, so a firearms condition is not among the options in a Peace Order.
In both cases, a qualifying final order also triggers the federal prohibition under 18 U.S.C. section 922(g)(8). Under that federal law, a person subject to a qualifying protective order is barred from possessing or purchasing any firearm or ammunition. The federal ban is independent of any state-level surrender requirement and applies automatically when the order meets the statutory criteria.
If you have concerns about the respondent's access to firearms, raise that with the judge when you seek the order, and tell an advocate or the clerk, because the relationship categories that support a Protective Order are what unlock the surrender requirement.
What happens if someone violates the order?
Violating a Maryland Protective Order or Peace Order can be a criminal misdemeanor, but the criminal penalty attaches to specific terms of the order rather than to the order as a whole.
For a Protective Order, Maryland Family Law Article section 4-509(a) reaches the core final-order terms in section 4-506(d)(1) through (5) (refraining from abuse, refraining from contact or harassment, staying out of the residence, vacating the home, and staying away from work, school, or a temporary residence) together with the firearm-surrender requirement in section 4-506(f). The penalty is:
- First offense: up to $1,000 fine, up to 90 days in jail, or both.
- Second or subsequent offense: up to $2,500 fine, up to 1 year in jail, or both.
For a Peace Order, Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article section 3-1508(a) reaches only the first four forms of final relief, section 3-1505(d)(1)(i) through (iv). The penalty scale is the same:
- First offense: up to $1,000 fine, up to 90 days in jail, or both.
- Second or subsequent offense: up to $2,500 fine, up to 1 year in jail, or both.
Other relief a court may grant falls outside those two criminal provisions. Emergency family maintenance, court-ordered counseling or mediation, filing fees and costs, possession of a pet or a vehicle, and removal of a visual-surveillance device are enforced through contempt of court rather than as a section 4-509 or section 3-1508 misdemeanor.
Maryland law enforcement can arrest a respondent without a warrant on probable cause that a protective order has been violated. If the respondent violates one of the core terms above, call 911. Write down the date, time, location, what happened, and the names of any witnesses. Save any text messages, voicemails, or other communications that show the violation. For a violation of any other term, and as an additional route for the core terms, you can report the violation to the court as contempt of court, which carries separate civil consequences.
Both criminal charges and contempt proceedings can proceed at the same time, giving courts multiple tools to enforce compliance.
This article is general legal information, not legal advice, and it is not a safety plan. Protective-order rules vary by state and change. If you are in danger, call 911. For help with your specific situation, contact your local court's self-help center, a domestic-violence advocate, or a licensed attorney.
Related pages
For a full state-by-state overview, see the cluster hub Restraining Order Laws by State.
You may also find these related pages useful: Maryland Recording Laws for information on documenting harassment or threats under Maryland law, and the site's coverage of stalking and personal safety topics.
More Maryland Laws
- Maryland Child Custody Laws
- Maryland Divorce Laws
- Maryland GPS Tracking Laws
- Maryland Self-Defense Laws
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a restraining order in Maryland?
Where you file depends on the order. A Protective Order petition may be filed in a Maryland District Court or a circuit court. A Peace Order petition goes to the District Court or to a District Court commissioner, because the peace-order statute defines court as the District Court of Maryland, so a Peace Order cannot be filed in a circuit court. If you need immediate protection outside business hours, contact the District Court commissioner, who is available 24/7 to issue an Interim Protective Order or Interim Peace Order. A judge will review your petition ex parte and, if the facts support it, issue a Temporary Order the same day, with a full hearing scheduled within 7 days of service on the respondent.
What is the difference between a Protective Order and a Peace Order in Maryland?
A Protective Order is for victims of abuse who have a qualifying domestic or family relationship with the respondent (spouse, cohabitant, co-parent, relative, or sexual partner within the past year), and abuse is a defined list that does not include harassment. A Peace Order is for victims of harassment, stalking, assault, trespass, and other listed conduct by someone who does NOT share that qualifying relationship, such as neighbors, coworkers, or strangers, and the act must have occurred within 30 days before filing.
How long does a restraining order last in Maryland?
A final Protective Order lasts up to 1 year. It can be extended by 6 months for good cause, or by up to 2 years if the respondent committed a subsequent act of abuse during the order's term or consents. A permanent Protective Order is available, at the protected person's request, when the respondent has been convicted and sentenced to at least 5 years in prison (with at least 12 months served) for the qualifying act of abuse, or when the respondent consents (Md. Family Law 4-506(k)). A final Peace Order lasts up to 6 months and can be extended 6 months for good cause.
How much does a restraining order cost in Maryland?
There is no filing fee for a Maryland Protective Order. Family Law section 4-504(c) provides that the petitioner may not be required to pay a filing fee or costs for the issuance or service of an interim, temporary, or final Protective Order, or for a witness subpoena. Peace Orders fall under a different subtitle, and in a Peace Order case the judge may order either party to pay the filing fees and costs of the proceeding (Courts and Judicial Proceedings section 3-1505(d)(1)(vi)). Ask the District Court clerk or a self-help center about current fees and waivers.
Can I get a restraining order in Maryland without a police report?
Yes. A police report is not required to petition for a Protective Order or Peace Order. You file a civil petition with the court describing the conduct and your relationship to the respondent. Documentation such as police reports, photos, or messages can strengthen your petition, but the absence of a report does not prevent you from seeking an order.
Does a Protective Order take away gun rights in Maryland?
Yes. Under Family Law section 4-506(f), a final Protective Order requires the respondent to surrender all firearms to law enforcement and to refrain from possessing any firearm for the duration of the order. A qualifying final order also triggers the federal firearm ban under 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(8), making it a federal crime for the respondent to possess or purchase a firearm. Peace Orders have no firearm-surrender provision: Courts and Judicial Proceedings section 3-1505(d)(1) lists the relief a final Peace Order may contain, and firearms are not among the options.
What happens if the respondent violates the order in Maryland?
It depends on which term was violated. Failing to comply with the core terms (no abuse, no contact, no entry, vacate, stay away, and for a Protective Order the firearm surrender) is a misdemeanor: a first offense carries up to $1,000 and 90 days in jail; a second or subsequent offense carries up to $2,500 and 1 year. Call 911 if one of those terms is violated, and police can arrest without a warrant on probable cause. Violations of other relief, such as emergency family maintenance or counseling, are enforced as contempt of court rather than under that misdemeanor. Document the violation either way and report it to the court.
Updates
Corrected where a peace order may be filed (District Court or a commissioner, not a circuit court), added the 30-day peace order filing deadline, removed harassment from the protective order grounds, clarified that only the core order terms carry criminal penalties, and replaced the VAWA fee claim with the controlling Maryland fee statute.
Removed a fabricated 2025 'coercive control' amendment claim (the cited bill actually concerns military protection orders and Maryland's abuse definition has no coercive-control category), corrected a fabricated 90-day cohabitation requirement for blood/marriage/adoption relatives seeking a Protective Order, and fixed the permanent-order citation and requirements (Family Law 4-506(k), which requires the protected person to request it, not section 4-507).
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources; governing law re-checked for recent changes
Governing law re-checked for recent changes
Governing law re-checked for recent changes
Reviewed and approved by an editor
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Maryland Code, Family Law Article
§ 4-506In force
§4–506. (a) A respondent under § 4–505 of this subtitle shall have an opportunity to be heard on the question of whether the judge should issue a final protective order. (b) (1) (i) The temporary protective order shall state the date and time of the final protective order hearing. (ii) Except as provided in § 4–505(c) of this subtitle, or unless continued for good cause, the final protective order hearing shall be held no later than 7 days after the temporary protective order is served on the respondent.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-09-08 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at mgaleg.maryland.gov
Cited in 1 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2022
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- In re: S.F. (Court of Appeals of Maryland 2022, 477 Md. 296)“…4 (1996) (noting that protective orders, according to then Md. Code Ann., Family Law § 4-506(g), do not exceed 200 days in duration…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 4-504In force
§4–504. (a) (1) A petitioner may seek relief from abuse by filing with a court, or with a commissioner under the circumstances specified in § 4–504.1(a) of this subtitle, a petition that alleges abuse of any person eligible for relief by the respondent. (2) A petition may be filed under this subtitle if: (i) the abuse is alleged to have occurred in the State; or (ii) the person eligible for relief is a resident of the State, regardless of whether the abuse is alleged to have occurred in the State. (b) (1) The petition shall: (i) be under oath; and (ii) include any information known to the petitioner of: 1. the nature and extent of the abuse for which the relief is being sought, including information known to the petitioner concerning previous injury resulting from abuse by the respondent; 2. each previous action between the parties in any court; 3. each pending action between the parties in any court; 4. the whereabouts of the respondent, if known; 5. if financial relief is requested, information known to the petitioner regarding the financial resources of the respondent; and 6.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at mgaleg.maryland.gov
§ 4-507In force
§4–507. (a) (1) A protective order may be modified or rescinded during the term of the protective order after: (i) giving notice to all affected persons eligible for relief and the respondent; and (ii) a hearing. (2) For good cause shown, a judge may extend the term of the protective order for 6 months beyond the period specified in § 4–506(j) of this subtitle, after: (i) giving notice to all affected persons eligible for relief and the respondent; and (ii) a hearing. (3) (i) Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, a judge may extend the term of a protective order for a period not to exceed 2 years from the date the extension is granted if: 1. during the term of the protective order, the judge finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the respondent named in the protective order has committed a subsequent act of abuse against a person eligible for relief named in the protective order; or 2. the respondent named in the protective order consents to the extension of the protective order. (ii) The judge may extend the term of the protective order under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph after: 1.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at mgaleg.maryland.gov
§ 4-509In force
§4–509. (a) A person may not fail to comply with the relief granted in an interim protective order under § 4–504.1(c)(1), (2), (3), (4)(i), (7), or (8) of this subtitle, a temporary protective order under § 4–505(a)(2)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), or (viii) of this subtitle, or a final protective order under § 4–506(d)(1), (2), (3), (4), or (5), or (f) of this subtitle. (b) A person who violates subsection (a) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject, for each offense, to: (1) for a first offense, a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or both; and (2) for a second or subsequent offense, a fine not exceeding $2,500 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both. (c) Notwithstanding any other law, a conviction under this section may not merge with a conviction for any other crime based on the act establishing the violation of this section. (d) A sentence imposed under this section may be imposed separate from and consecutive to or concurrent with a sentence for any crime based on the act establishing the violation of this section.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at mgaleg.maryland.gov
Cited in 1 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- JEFFREY W. REICHERT v. SARAH HORNBECK (District Court, D. Maryland 2026)“…the Interim PO or Final PO, he was charged in violation of Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law § 4-509. On one occasion, he was also charged…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 4-501In force
§4–501. (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) (1) “Abuse” means any of the following acts: (i) an act that causes serious bodily harm; (ii) an act that places a person eligible for relief in fear of imminent serious bodily harm; (iii) assault in any degree; (iv) rape or sexual offense under § 3–303, § 3–304, § 3–307, or § 3–308 of the Criminal Law Article or attempted rape or sexual offense in any degree; (v) false imprisonment; (vi) stalking under § 3–802 of the Criminal Law Article; or (vii) revenge porn under § 3–809 of the Criminal Law Article. (2) (i) If the person for whom relief is sought is a child, “abuse” may also include abuse of a child, as defined in Title 5, Subtitle 7 of this article. (ii) Nothing in this subtitle shall be construed to prohibit reasonable punishment, including reasonable corporal punishment, in light of the age and condition of the child, from being performed by a parent or stepparent of the child. (3) If the person for whom relief is sought is a vulnerable adult, “abuse” may also include abuse of a vulnerable adult, as defined in Title 14, Subtitle 1 of this article.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at mgaleg.maryland.gov
Maryland Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article
§ 3-1505In force
§3–1505. (a) A respondent shall have an opportunity to be heard on the question of whether the judge should issue a final peace order. (b) (1) (i) The temporary peace order shall state the date and time of the final peace order hearing. (ii) Except as provided in § 3–1504(c) of this subtitle, or unless continued for good cause, the final peace order hearing shall be held no later than 7 days after the temporary peace order is served on the respondent. (2) The temporary peace order shall include notice to the respondent: (i) In at least 10–point bold type, that if the respondent fails to appear at the final peace order hearing, the respondent may be served by first–class mail at the respondent’s last known address with the final peace order and all other notices concerning the final peace order; (ii) Specifying all the possible forms of relief under subsection (d) of this section that the final peace order may contain; (iii) That the final peace order shall be effective for the period stated in the order, not to exceed 6 months; and (iv) In at least 10–point bold type, that the respondent must notify the court in writing of any change of address.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at mgaleg.maryland.gov
§ 3-1503In forcecited in 2 of our articles
§3–1503. (a) (1) A petitioner may seek relief under this subtitle by filing with the court, or with a commissioner under the circumstances specified in § 3–1503.1(a) of this subtitle, a petition that alleges the commission of any of the following acts against the petitioner, or any of the following acts against the petitioner’s employee at the employee’s workplace, by the respondent, if the act occurred within 30 days before the filing of the petition: (i) An act that causes serious bodily harm; (ii) An act that places the petitioner or the petitioner’s employee in fear of imminent serious bodily harm; (iii) Assault in any degree; (iv) False imprisonment; (v) Harassment under § 3–803 of the Criminal Law Article; (vi) Stalking under § 3–802 of the Criminal Law Article; (vii) Trespass under Title 6, Subtitle 4 of the Criminal Law Article; (viii) Malicious destruction of property under § 6–301 of the Criminal Law Article; (ix) Misuse of telephone facilities and equipment under § 3–804 of the Criminal Law Article; (x) Misuse of electronic communication or interactive computer service under § 3–805 of the Criminal Law Article; (xi) Revenge porn under § 3–809 of the Criminal…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at mgaleg.maryland.gov
Also relied on in: Maryland GPS Tracking Laws: Is It Legal to Put a Tracker on a Car? (2026)
§ 3-1508In force
§3–1508. (a) An individual who fails to comply with the relief granted in an interim peace order under § 3–1503.1 of this subtitle, a temporary peace order under § 3–1504(a)(2) of this subtitle, or a final peace order under § 3–1505(d)(1)(i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to: (1) For a first offense, a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or both; and (2) For a second or subsequent offense, a fine not exceeding $2,500 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both. (b) For the purpose of second or subsequent offender penalties provided under subsection (a)(2) of this section, a prior conviction under § 4–509 of the Family Law Article shall be considered a conviction under this section. (c) (1) A law enforcement officer shall arrest with or without a warrant and take into custody an individual who the officer has probable cause to believe is in violation of an interim peace order, temporary peace order, or final peace order in effect at the time of the violation.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at mgaleg.maryland.gov
§ 3-1501In force
§3–1501. (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) “Commissioner” means a District Court commissioner appointed in accordance with Article IV, § 41G of the Maryland Constitution. (c) “Court” means the District Court of Maryland. (d) “Employee” means: (1) An individual who is employed by an employer; or (2) A volunteer or an independent contractor who performs services for an employer at the employer’s workplace. (e) (1) “Employer” means a person engaged in a business, an industry, a profession, a trade, or any other enterprise in the State. (2) “Employer” includes a person that acts directly or indirectly in the interest of another employer with an employee. (f) “Final peace order” means a peace order issued by a judge under § 3–1505 of this subtitle. (g) “Interim peace order” means an order that a commissioner issues under this subtitle pending a hearing by a judge on a petition. (h) “Military protection order” means a protection order issued in accordance with 10 U.S.C.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at mgaleg.maryland.gov
Cited in 1 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2014
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Sonia Hendy v. Marion Bello (Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit 2014, 555 F. App'x 224)“…e--or any other governmental or business entity. Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 3-1501(h) (noting that a peace order may be f…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
United States Code Title 18
§ 922Unlawful actsIn forcecited in 72 of our articles
It shall be unlawful— for any person— except a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer, to engage in the business of importing, manufacturing, or dealing in firearms, or in the course of such business to ship, transport, or receive any firearm in interstate or foreign commerce; or except a licensed importer or licensed manufacturer, to engage in the business of importing or manufacturing ammunition, or in the course of such business, to ship, transport, or receive any ammunition in interstate or foreign commerce; for any importer, manufacturer, dealer, or collector licensed under the provisions of this chapter to ship or transport in interstate or foreign commerce any firearm to any person other than a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector, except that— this paragraph and subsection (b)(3) shall not be held to preclude a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector from returning a firearm or replacement firearm of the same kind and type to a person from whom it was received; and this paragraph shall not be held to preclude an individual from mailing a firearm owned in compliance…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-09-16 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at uscode.house.gov
Cited in 40,024 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
In the courts (editorial summary, independently checked):Section 922(g)(1) bars a felon from possessing a firearm, and the Supreme Court cases in this line turn on sentencing, not on the ban. Taylor v. United States (1990) and Shepard v. United States (2005) held that whether prior convictions enhance a 922(g) sentence under 924(e) is decided from offense elements and limited plea records.
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- United States v. Booker (Supreme Court of the United States 2004, 543 U.S. 220)“…e Johnson with one crime (say, illegal gun possession, see 18 U. S. C. § 922 (g)) and Jackson with another (say, ban…”
- Almendarez-Torres v. United States (Supreme Court of the United States 1998, 523 U.S. 224)“…cidivism an offense element in such circumstances. But cf. 18 U. S. C. § 922 (g)(1) (prior felony conviction an elem…”
- Taylor v. United States (Supreme Court of the United States 1990, 495 U.S. 575)✓Taylor pleaded guilty to felon-in-possession under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) and had two Missouri burglary convictions; the Court held that 'burglary' in the § 924(e) enhancement attached to a § 922(g) conviction means generic burglary judged by the prior statute's elements.
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Can You Become an ICE Agent with a Criminal Record? (2026 Guide), How Long Does a Felony Stay on Your Record? (2026), Supreme Court Limits the Federal Gun Ban on Marijuana Users (Hemani, 2026)
Search our full record of US law — 2.1 million sections, every state + federal →
Sources and References
- Maryland Code, Family Law Art. §§4-501 to 4-516 (Protective Orders)(mgaleg.maryland.gov).gov
- Maryland Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings Art. §§3-1501 to 3-1513 (Peace Orders)(mgaleg.maryland.gov).gov
- Maryland Courts, Domestic Violence and Protective Orders self-help(mdcourts.gov).gov
- Md. Code, Family Law § 4-501 (definitions of abuse and of court for protective orders)(mgaleg.maryland.gov)
- Md. Code, Family Law § 4-504(c) (no filing fee or costs for issuance or service of a protective order or witness subpoena)(mgaleg.maryland.gov)
- Md. Code, Family Law § 4-509 (which protective order provisions carry criminal penalties)(mgaleg.maryland.gov)
- Md. Code, Courts & Judicial Proceedings § 3-1503 (peace order petition: qualifying acts and the 30-day filing window)(mgaleg.maryland.gov)
- Md. Code, Courts & Judicial Proceedings § 3-1505 (relief available in a final peace order)(mgaleg.maryland.gov)
- Md. Code, Courts & Judicial Proceedings § 3-1508 (which peace order provisions carry criminal penalties)(mgaleg.maryland.gov)