A woman has a better chance of obtaining a protective order in Anne Arundel or Baltimore circuit courts than other counties, data reveals.
Nearly half of women living in Anne Arundel and Baltimore counties received final protective orders in Circuit Courts in 2005, according to Maryland?s Court Information Office.
Howard, Carroll and Harford counties approved less than one-third of the same cases. Last year, almost three out of four hearings before a Howard County judge failed to produce a final protective order.
“It could be that police or social services in other jurisdictions don?t know the criteria of protective orders well,” Baltimore County Administrative District Court Judge Alexandra Williams said.
“In other areas, maybe more people get referred for protective orders who don?t really qualify for them.”
A temporary protective order requires only the accuser to be present in court, whereas both parties must receive notice about a final protective order, and both sides are allowed to present evidence at the latter hearing.
“The judges in Baltimore County have seen the result of domestic violence for years … and understand that this is a great preventative tool,” Baltimore County Deputy State?s Attorney Steve Bailey said of protective orders. … With a protective order, once an abuser even contacts the abused woman, the police have a criminal case.”
Bailey also credited the Baltimore County attorneys who take abused women?s cases pro bono.
“Abused women are grossly underrepresented in court,” he said. “Often times they are dependent on their abuser for financial support.”
Carole Alexander, executive director of the House of Ruth, said counties with better records have police who do a better job of serving the alleged abusers.
She said Baltimore City, where Circuit Court data was unavailable, has a low rate of serving notices.
“If the man isn?t served within 30 days, the woman can?t get a final protective order,” she said.
