Towson Domestic Violence Lawyer | Criminal Defense.
We Will Strive To Resolve Your Case Reasonably And Quickly. But, if That Does Not Happen, We Will Fight For You Until Hell Freezes Over, And Then On The Ice.
The Law Offices of Amar S. Weisman represent both victims of domestic violence and individuals accused of perpetrating domestic violence. Our domestic violence practice includes entering cases in the Circuit Court and the District Court because both courts have jurisdiction over domestic violence cases. Each action for a protective order begins with filing a Petition For Protection from Domestic Violence, Child Abuse, or Vulnerable Adult Abuse.
Services Provided to Victims of Domestic Violence In Baltimore County and the State of Maryland.
The first step in assessing a potential domestic violence matter is to determine whether the person eligible for relief should seek a protective or peace order. Protective orders can be sought against relatives, a spouse, an ex-spouse, or an individual with whom you have a child. The next step is determining whether there are grounds for pursuing a protective order. Under the Maryland Domestic Violence Act, one must establish an imminent fear of bodily harm based on an objective/subjective hybrid standard that is nuanced but well understood by Amar S. Weisman.
Elements of the Domestic Violence Case For the District Courts Located In Catonsville, Essex, and Towson.
On the other hand, certain overt elements can cement the case for obtaining a protective order: Shooting the victim with a gun, Stabbing the victim, Biting the victim, Hitting (with an object), Shoving the victim, raping the victim, kicking the victim, Strangling the victim, Choking the victim, punching the victim with a fist, Shoving the victim, and slapping the victim. Matters become more complicated when dealing with “threats” of domestic violence without physical evidence. When prosecuting a domestic violence action, the attorney gathers appropriate evidence, including photographs, hospital records, police reports, telephone records, and witnesses (including compelling court appearances by subpoena).
The Law Offices of Amar S. Weisman Also Defend Individuals Accused of Domestic Violence In Peace Order/Protective Order Proceedings In Baltimore County.
Being accused of domestic violence can be devastating. Having a temporary or final protective order entered against you can result in your loss of child custody, displacement from home, mandatory financial payments, and a damaging public record available for everyone to see with a simple Maryland Judiciary Case Search. As an attorney, Amar S. Weisman identifies weaknesses in the narrative against you, cross-examines witnesses, and locates and introduces the most effective defensive evidence.
Protective Orders Often Travel With DSS Investigations
When a Petition for Protective Order is filed in the District Court for Baltimore County, the same allegations frequently trigger a parallel investigation by the Maryland Department of Human Services through the Baltimore County Department of Social Services (DSS). A 911 call, an emergency-room report, a school employee's mandated report, or a relative's hotline call is often what set both processes in motion in the first place—and it is common for a client to find a DSS investigator at the door within days of the Interim or Temporary Protective Order being entered. Treating the protective order and the DSS investigation as two separate problems is a mistake; the testimony, the records, and the witnesses overlap almost completely.
The Basic DSS Process in Baltimore County
A report comes in on the statewide hotline (1-800-332-6347) or directly to a Baltimore County DSS office. DSS screens the report, deciding whether to "screen in" for an investigation or to assign it to an "alternative response" track for lower-risk cases. If screened in, a Child Protective Services worker is assigned and is required to make in-person contact with the child within statutorily prescribed timeframes—within 24 hours for high-risk allegations of physical or sexual abuse, and longer for non-emergent neglect referrals. The investigation typically includes interviews with the alleged victim, the alleged maltreator, household members, and collaterals (teachers, pediatricians, mental-health providers, police), records reviews, and where appropriate a physical examination of the child. At the conclusion, DSS issues one of three findings: Indicated (credible evidence supports the allegation), Unsubstantiated (insufficient evidence either way), or Ruled Out (the allegation is affirmatively not supported). General information about the process is available at the Maryland Department of Human Services Child Protective Services page.
Appealing an Indicated Finding
An Indicated finding is not a criminal conviction, but it is recorded with DHS, can be reported to employers and licensing boards, and frequently becomes a centerpiece of the opposing party's case at the Final Protective Order Hearing or at a later custody trial. Maryland law gives the subject of an Indicated finding the right to contest it through an administrative appeal under Md. Code Ann., Family Law § 5-706.1. The request must be filed in writing within the appeal window stated in the DSS notice (typically sixty days from receipt), and the case is heard by an Administrative Law Judge at the Maryland Office of Administrative Hearings. At the hearing, DSS bears the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that the finding should stand. If the ALJ rules in the subject's favor, the finding is changed to Ruled Out and the records are corrected; if the ALJ affirms, the subject still has the right to seek judicial review in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County.
Why This Matters in Your Case
The window to act is short, and the work that wins the appeal—or that defeats the protective order—is typically the same work: gathering the records, preparing the cross-examination of the social worker, lining up rebuttal witnesses, and locking down a coherent narrative before either tribunal hears testimony. Treating both proceedings as a single coordinated defense, rather than two unrelated fires, is the difference between an Indicated finding that follows a parent for years and a clean record going into the custody case.
Call 410-321-4994 To Meet With Towson Domestic Violence, Child Custody & Family Law Lawyer Amar S. Weisman.
Please Call (410) 321-4994 during business hours to schedule a free consultation to decide whether you want to retain Amar S. Weisman. The firm does not accept pro bono clients at this time. To have legal services and advice, you must pay a retainer, See Policy on Fees/Costs. The law firm is located in the heart of Towson near The Circuit Court For Baltimore County, Towson Town Center, Goucher College, and Towson University, at 1018 Dulaney Valley Road (MD-146), Second Floor Towson, MD 21204. We represent clients throughout the Baltimore area, including Aberdeen, Abingdon, Baldwin, Bel Air, Bowleys Quarters, Brooklandville, Carney, Catonsville, Cockeysville, Edgewood, Essex, Garrison, Glen Arm, Greenspring Valley, Homeland, Hunt Valley, Hydes, the Joppa Road Corridor, Kingsville, Long Green, Lutherville, Middle River, Nottingham, Owings Mills, Parkville, Pikesville, Perry Hall, Reisterstown, Riderwood, Rodgers Forge, Rosedale, Ruxton, Sparks, Sparrows Point, Stoneleigh, Timonium, Towson, West Towson, White Hall, White Marsh, and the York Road corridor. We have also represented several out-of-state clients. The law firm does not guarantee the results in any matter.
Domestic Violence Blog Postings By Amar S. Weisman
- Domestic Violence and Unmarried Couples: Dealing With the Issues
- The Complications Surrounding Child Custody and Domestic Violence Issues in Maryland
- Domestic Violence Final Protective Orders
- Domestic Violence: Are You Being Threatened?
- Maryland Woman Accuses Sister Of Domestic Violence
Useful Links
- Maryland Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services Inmate Locator
- Baltimore County Police Department News.
- Baltimore County Police Department
