How Protective Orders Work in Maryland
Accusations of domestic violence can lead to criminal charges in Maryland. Oftentimes, police arrive on the scene of a dispute and make an arrest before all of the facts are known. In addition to the underlying charge, a person accused of domestic abuse may also have a protective order issued against him or her. In tense situations like these, legal advice and representation from a Timonium, MD criminal defense lawyer can make a real difference.
At Posner & Cord, LLC, we have an in-depth understanding of how protective orders work in Maryland. We can advise you of what to do, what not to do, and how to protect your rights during an ongoing criminal or civil case. Our firm has a documented case history of helping clients challenge protective orders and fight charges of assault, so you can trust your case will be handled by an experienced professional.
What Relationships Qualify for Protective Orders in Maryland?
A protective order in Maryland is only available when the person asking for it has a certain relationship with the other party. Maryland law calls this person a "person eligible for relief." People who may qualify include:
What Are Reckless Driving Penalties in Maryland?
Getting pulled over for reckless driving in Maryland used to mean a bad day and an expensive ticket. Now it can mean jail. In addition, a conviction can cost you money, points, and your license and stay on your criminal record.
If you’ve been charged with reckless driving in 2026, our Cockeysville, MD criminal defense attorney can help. We defend clients facing traffic violations and other serious criminal matters.
What Is Reckless Driving Under Maryland Law?
Maryland Transportation Code Section 21-901.1 defines reckless driving in two ways. You can be charged if you drive a vehicle in a way that shows a wanton or willful disregard for the safety of people or property. You can also be charged if you drive in a manner that indicates that same disregard.
What Are the Consequences for Multiple DUIs in Maryland?
Multiple DUI convictions in Maryland can lead to mandatory jail time, higher fines, license suspension, and ignition interlock requirements. The penalties become more serious with each conviction, especially if the offenses happen within five years of each other.
Posner & Cord, LLC represents people facing Maryland DUI and DWI charges. Our Timonium DUI lawyer can explain your options and fight for the best possible outcome.
What Happens After a Second DUI in Maryland?
Maryland has separate charges for driving under the influence (DUI) and driving while impaired (DWI). DUI is the more serious offense.
Under Maryland Transportation Article Section 21-902, a second DUI conviction can result in up to two years in jail and a fine of up to $2,400.
If your second DUI happens within five years of your first, Maryland law requires at least five consecutive days in jail. A judge cannot waive that mandatory sentence.
Why Is It Important to Have a Lawyer in a Maryland Car Accident Case?
After a 2026 car accident in Maryland, the insurance company for the at-fault driver is not on your side. Their goal is to pay out as little as possible, and they have adjusters, attorneys, and years of experience doing exactly that.
Most accident victims do not have this same level of experience or resources. Having a Glen Burnie car accident attorney makes the odds of getting what you need and deserve much higher. In many cases, a great attorney is the difference between a settlement that actually covers your losses and one that doesn’t even come close. Here are just some of the things an attorney will do for you after a car crash.
Communicate and Negotiate with Insurance Companies
In the days after a serious accident, you will likely still be dealing with injuries, missed work, and the stress of getting your car repaired. Meanwhile, the other driver's insurance company may already be trying to reach you. They may ask you to give a recorded statement or offer a quick settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries.
What Should You Do if the Insurance Company Gives You a Low Offer?
Getting hurt in an accident that wasn’t your fault is stressful enough. But what if the insurance company sends you a settlement offer that doesn’t even cover your medical bills? Is that really all you're going to get?
You absolutely do not have to accept a low offer, and in some cases you may have legal options for fighting back. If you're dealing with this situation, a Parkville, MD personal injury attorney at our firm can help you understand what your claim is actually worth. Our team at Posner & Cord, LLC has helped injured people get fair compensation for over 20 years, and we offer free consultations.
Why Insurance Companies Make Low Initial Offers
Insurance companies are businesses. Their goal is to pay out as little as possible on every claim, and a low first offer is a standard tactic. A lot of injured people accept these offers simply because they don't know they can push back. Here are some of the most common reasons insurance companies make lowball offers:
What Happens If You're Pulled Over and Under the Legal Limit in Maryland?
Most people assume that if their blood alcohol content (BAC) is below 0.08 percent, they have nothing to worry about. It is true that 0.08 percent is when you can be charged with a DUI, or driving under the influence, in Maryland. But being under that number does not automatically mean you can’t get in any trouble. In 2026, Maryland law gives police and prosecutors tools to charge drivers who are below the legal limit, and the consequences can still be very serious.
If you were pulled over and are facing charges even though your BAC was under 0.08 percent, you need to understand what the law actually says. Call Posner & Cord, LLC, at 410-252-0600 for a free phone consultation with a Timonium DUI criminal defense lawyer.
What Is the Difference Between a DUI and a DWI in Maryland?
Maryland has two separate drunk driving offenses, and the difference is important to your case if your BAC was below 0.08 percent. A DUI, or driving under the influence, applies when your BAC is 0.08 percent or higher. This is the charge most people have heard of, and it is the more serious of the two.
What Is Probation Before Judgment in Maryland?
If you are facing criminal charges in Maryland in 2026, you may have heard the term "probation before judgment" and wondered what it actually means. Probation before judgment is one of the most valuable outcomes available in Maryland's criminal courts, and for many people, it can make a huge difference in their future.
Understanding what it is, who qualifies, and what it means for your record is an important part of planning your defense strategy. At Posner & Cord, LLC, our Glen Burnie, MD criminal defense lawyer uses every option available to improve our clients’ futures. Call us today at 410-252-0600.
What Does Probation Before Judgment Mean in Maryland?
Probation before judgment, commonly called a PBJ, is a special disposition available under Maryland Code of Criminal Procedure § 6-220. When a judge grants a PBJ, it’s usually after a guilty plea or finding of guilt. But instead of entering a conviction, the judge puts you on probation. If you successfully complete that probation, no conviction ever goes on your record.
What Should You Do During a Maryland Traffic Stop?
In 2026, knowing your rights during a traffic stop is essential. With so many videos going viral of police abusing their power – and also of people who think they know their rights and making serious mistakes with police as a result – you should have this valuable information before you ever get pulled over.
Whether a traffic stop leads to nothing more than a warning or escalates into something far more serious, how you handle yourself matters enormously. From DUIs/DWIs to reckless driving charges, our Pikesville, MD criminal defense lawyer can help.
What Should You Do the Moment You Are Pulled Over?
Police officers are trained to observe your behavior from the moment they activate their lights, and your decisions can make a significant difference in how the encounter goes for you.
As soon as you see the lights, use your turn signal and pull over to the right side of the road as quickly and safely as possible. Do not make any sudden or unpredictable movements. Once you have stopped, turn off your engine, roll down your window, and put your hands on the steering wheel. The police officer should be able to see your hands when he walks up to the car.
What Should You Do if You Are Accused of Domestic Violence?
Even if the accusations about your behavior are completely false, a domestic violence charge can damage your life in irreparable ways. In Maryland, law enforcement and prosecutors take domestic violence cases very seriously. This means you need to take your defense just as seriously.
The steps you take immediately after you find out someone has accused you of this serious crime can determine what happens with your case. This means you need to understand what kind of mistakes people make that mess up their defense cases after an accusation of domestic violence.
If you are accused of domestic violence or assault in 2026, our Parkville, MD criminal defense attorney can help you make the best of a bad situation. Call us at 410-252-0600 right away.
What Counts as Domestic Violence in Maryland?
Domestic violence is when the family member or intimate partner of another person abuses that person. Maryland law defines abuse broadly under Maryland Family Law Code Section 4-501 to include:
How Long Is the Statute of Limitations for Injury Claims in Maryland?
If you were hurt in an accident that was someone else's fault, you probably have a lot of questions. You may be wondering whether you can file a lawsuit, and what that process looks like.
One of the most important things to understand if you are thinking about a personal injury lawsuit is the deadline for filing your claim. In Maryland, this deadline is called the "statute of limitations," and missing it could mean losing your right to compensation forever.
Many people wait to speak with a Timonium personal injury lawyer because they are focused on healing and dealing with insurance companies. They may hope they can get a favorable settlement without the help of an attorney. Unfortunately, many of these people miss the statute of limitations and get neither the settlement nor the verdict they deserve.
Don't Be Ignored –
Call Posner & Cord
From our office in Timonium, the team at Posner & Cord, LLC provides legal help to individuals and families throughout Baltimore, Howard, Harford, and Carroll counties. We serve clients in Lutherville, Towson, Cockeysville, Hunt Valley, Parkville, Pikesville, Owings Mills, Reisterstown, Catonsville, Perry Hall, White Marsh, Dundalk, Essex, Columbia, Ellicott City, Elkridge, Clarksville, Bel Air, Aberdeen, Havre de Grace, Abingdon, Edgewood, Westminster, Eldersburg, Sykesville, Hampstead, Manchester, and surrounding communities.
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1404 Front Ave, Timonium, MD 21093
410-252-0600
