Queen Anne's Cnty. Cir. Ct. Family DCM Plan II

When an individual enters the courthouse and expresses a desire to file a petition for

protection from domestic violence/child abuse, the clerk shall promptly notify the family

services coordinator. The family services coordinator will meet with the individual and provide

information regarding available resources to aid the petitioner and/or the petitioner’s family. If

requested, the family services coordinator will contact a representative of the Mid-Shore Council

on Family Violence to facilitate contact with the petitioner. Simultaneously, the clerk informs

the assignment commissioner that a petition for protection from domestic violence may be filed.

As soon as the petition is completed, and the clerk has entered the required information

into the domestic violence case management system, the matter is immediately forwarded to the

assignment commissioner. The assignment commissioner will transfer the case to chambers for

review by the judge and a hearing will be held at the earliest opportunity available that day. If a

temporary protective order is granted, a final protective order hearing is set before a judge within

seven (7) days and law enforcement serves the temporary order upon the petitioner and

respondent. If the final protective order hearing results in the extension of the temporary

protective order, law enforcement similarly serves the extended protective order upon the parties.

In some circumstances, the District Court will contact the assignment commissioner to

transfer final protective order proceedings to the Circuit Court. This occurs when a domestic

action is in the Circuit Court involving the same parties, or the same minor child(ren) or

vulnerable adult. Scheduling of these matters will be the same as if they originated in the

Circuit Court.

If an appeal is filed in Circuit Court, following the entry of a final protective order in

District Court, the clerk’s office processes the appeal and forwards the matter to the assignment

commissioner. If the judge determines that a hearing is appropriate, the appeal will be scheduled

within 30-45 days.

At all times, great care is taken by the court, court staff and court security to ensure that

the petitioner/persons to be protected are safe from any potential abuse.