Protective Orders: Electronic Filing and Video Conferencing

Remote Protective Order Procedures

House Bill 296 (effective 10/1/2022) authorizes a petitioner receiving medical treatment at a hospital to electronically file a petition for a temporary protective order while at the hospital; requires certain hospitals to refer certain petitioners to certain programs; authorizes a petitioner to electronically file a petition for a temporary protective order from certain programs and centers; and generally relates to protective orders.

Information Sheet (Printable)

Forms You Will Need 

  • CC DC-DV-001 – Petition for Protection from Domestic Violence / Child Abuse / Vulnerable Adult Abuse

  • CC DC-DV-001 A – Protective Order Addendum

How to File 

  • Attach the completed petition in PDF format to the provided email address for the county where the hearing is to be held.
    (In some small jurisdictions, if there is no judge available, the case may be heard in a nearby jurisdiction.)
     
  • Your Email Address. The email address you use to submit the petition will be the same email address the court will use to send you the link to access the remote hearing.
     
  • Your Phone Number. Please include your phone number in the email to the clerk’s office. The clerk’s office will contact you if they have any questions.
     
  • Review the document prior to submission.  Make sure the petitioner has signed the document, and the DV supplement form is included.

The Clerk's Role 

  • Review. The clerk will open the email and review the document.  If there are any issues or questions, the clerk will call you, using the number you provided in the email. 
  • Create Case File. The clerk will create the case record and prepare the documents for a remote hearing.
     
  • Schedule. The clerk’s office will schedule a remote hearing using either Zoom or Microsoft Teams, and send the link to the hearing back to your email address.  Zoom is the preferred platform. In some instances, Microsoft Teams may be used as an alternative if Zoom is unavailable

Tips for Remote Hearings 

  • How to Participate in a Remote Hearing. Helpful information may be found at: https://www.courts.state.md.us/district/remotehearings.
     
  • Audio and Video. Make sure you have a working microphone and a camera.
     
  • The Outcome. Once the remote hearing is complete, copies of the outcome of the case will be emailed to the address used to submit the original petition

Helpful Information 

  • Temporary Protective Orders Only. The legislation authorizing remote hearings only applies to temporary protective orders.  Interim orders must be filed and heard in person at a commissioner’s location.  Remote temporary hearings are NOT available in peace order cases. 
  • Final Protective Orders. Final protective orders may be heard in person, or remotely, depending on the court location and at the discretion of the judge.  A separate written request for a remote hearing may be filed for a final protective order hearing.

  • Court Hours and Your Remote Hearing. Regular business hours for every District Court are:  8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, except pre-determined holidays.  The court will hold a hearing on the petition on the same business day if the petition is filed during regular court hours. If a petition is received outside of normal business hours, the hearing may be heard the next business day.  All hearing information will still be sent to the original email address used to file the petition.

  • After Hours. If courts are closed, the case may be filed in person in the District Court Commissioner’s Office. The commissioner’s office only accepts petitions when courts are closed.

  • Submit the paperwork.  If you are submitting paperwork after 4:00 PM, please call the clerk’s office so that judges and staff may be alerted.   

The Legislation