How Do I Get Domestic Violence (DV) Assistance?

The Montgomery County Family Justice Center (FJC) s a comprehensive, one-stop shop for victims of family violence and their children. The Center co-locates multiple agencies to provide coordinated advocacy, civil legal services, social services and law enforcement for wrap-around support for families.

LOCATION: "Eagle Building": 600 Jefferson Plaza, Suite 500, Rockville, Maryland (near Route 355, the intersection of Rockville Pike and Jefferson Street, directly in front of Richard Montgomery High School)

The Family Justice Center offers free visitor parking and is accessible by public transportation and is located a few blocks from the Rockville Metro Station and the Rockville District and Circuit Courts.

For more information, visit their website or download the FJC brochure in English or Spanish.

FJC

In an emergency please call 911 

FJC: 240-773-0444
24-hour Sheriff's DV Unit at the FJC: 240-777-7016
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233, TTY: 800-787-3224

Montgomery County Department of Health & Human Services 24-Hour Crisis Center: 240-777-4000

Summary of Relief Provided by Court Protective Orders

Protective orders are civil orders issued by a judge that order one person to refrain from committing certain acts against others. The “petitioner” is the person seeking protection from the “respondent,” who is the person alleged to have committed the prohibited act.

  • are married, divorced, or currently separated;
  • are related by marriage, blood or adoption (this includes stepparents and stepchildren if they have lived with you for at least 90 days in the past year);
  • have lived together in a sexual relationship for at least 90 days in the past year;
  • are the parents of a child together;
  • have had a sexual relationship with each other in the past year;
  • are a vulnerable adult;
  • were raped or sexually assaulted by the other person (including attempts) in the past six months.

A parent or guardian may file a protective order ON BEHALF of a minor (under age 18) if:

  • The minor child is the current or former spouse of the respondent.
  • The minor child has had a sexual relationship with the respondent and has resided with the respondent in the home for a period of at least 90 days within the last year.
  • The minor child is related to the respondent by blood, marriage, or adoption.
  • The minor child is the stepparent, child, or stepchild of the respondent or person eligible for relief and has resided with the respondent for 90 days during the past year.
  • The minor child has a child in common with the respondent.
  • The minor child has had a sexual relationship with the respondent within one (1) year before the filing of the petition.
  • Within six (6) months before the filing of the petition the respondent committed rape or a sexual offense or attempted rape or sexual offense against the minor child.
  • Stop threatening or committing abuse
  • Stay away from the petitioner’s home, place of employment or school
  • Have no contact with the petitioner or others
  • Award temporary use and possession of the home to the petitioner
  • Award temporary custody of children to the petitioner
  • Award temporary financial support
  • Require the respondent to surrender all firearms and refrain from possession of firearms for the duration of the order. (State law requires the respondent to surrender all firearms to a law enforcement agency if a Final Protective Order is issued.)
  • Award temporary possession of any pet of a person eligible for relief or respondent
  • Order any other relief that the judge determines is necessary to protect a person eligible for relief from abuse (applies to a Final Protective Order, only)
  • Emergency family maintenance
  • Temporary use and possession of a vehicle
  • Counseling or DV program

  • For the petitioner or any other eligible person

  • District Court or Circuit Court

  • FL4-501 et. seq.

Summary of Relief Provided by Court Peace Orders

A Peace Order is a form of legal protection for anyone who is experiencing problems with an individual, including someone in a dating relationship, a neighbor, a stranger, or anyone else. The Peace Order enables an individual who wishes to be left alone to ask the Court for an order for the other person to stay away and refrain from any contact.

A Peace Order allows any person who has been subjected to abuse, harassment, stalking, trespass, malicious destruction of property, misuse of telephone facilities and equipment, misuse of electronic communication or interactive computer service, revenge porn, or visual surveillance to seek relief from the court. Unlike Protective Orders, the nature of the relationship between the parties is not a factor when petitioning the court for a Peace Order. If an individual is entitled to relief in a Protective Order hearing they are not entitled to seek relief under the Peace Order Act.

  • Refrain from committing prohibited acts
  • No contact/harassing
  • Stay away from residence, job, school, temporary residence
  • Counseling or mediation
  • Fees and costs (either party)
  • Only for the petitioner
  • District Court only except for juvenile matters
  • C.J.P 3-1501 et. seq.

 

For more information about Protective and Peace Orders, including forms, visit the Maryland Judiciary Domestic Violence page

Download the Maryland Judiciary Guide to How to File for a Peace and Protective Order (PDF)

Additional Resources

Agency Address Phone
Montgomery County Family Justice Center 600 Jefferson Plaza, Suite 500, Rockville, MD 20852 240-773-0444
safe@montgomerycountymd.gov
Montgomery County Crisis Center (24 Hours) 1301 Piccard Drive, Rockville, MD 20850 240-777-4000 (Service/Intake)
Domestic Violence and Referral Services & Other State Services 800-634-3577 (800-MDHELPS)
Emergency Evaluation Petitions for Ex-Parte and Peace Orders (Rockville District Court) 27 Courthouse Square, Rockville, MD 20850 301-279-1500
Emergency Evaluation Petitions for Ex-Parte Orders (Circuit Court) 50 Maryland Avenue, 3rd Floor, Rockville MD 20850 301-777-9115
Interim Orders (Protective Orders, Peace Orders, and Emergency Evaluation Petitions) Rockville District Court (191 E Jefferson Street, Rockville, MD 20850) or Silver Spring District Court (8552 2nd Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910)
Maryland Courts Information on Peace v Protective Orders
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Domestic Violence Unit 50 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850 240-777-7016
People's Law Library of Maryland - Domestic Violence Information
Safe Starts Kids Group (Program for children who have been exposed to violence in their families) Montgomery County Family Justice Center: 240-773-0444
VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) 866-634-8463 (1-866-MD4VINE)

Not Seeing What You Are Looking For? Need Some Help?

View
Our FAQs