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Domestic ViolenceHarassment Lawyer

Criminal Defense and Peace Orders

Bowie and Annapolis criminal defense lawyer, Maria Patterson, handles Harassment cases in Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, and St. Mary’s Counties. Most of the harassment cases she has handled involve Peace Orders and sometimes domestic violence allegations.

If You Were Not Asked To Stop Doing What Now Has You Charged With The Crime Of Harassment, You Probably Are Not Guilty Of Harassment. Likewise, Stalking is much harder to prove because the victim must be in reasonable fear of serious and imminent injury. Repeatedly texting or driving by a house is usually not considered criminal stalking. Stalking and Harassment - Maryland Criminal Law § 3-802 and § 3-803

A person may not follow another in or about a public place or maliciously engage in a course of conduct that alarms or seriously annoys the other:

with the intent to harass, alarm, or annoy the other;
after receiving a reasonable warning or request to stop by or on behalf of the other; and
without a legal purpose.
(b) Exception. — This section does not apply to a peaceable activity intended to express a political view or provide information to others.

Most Harassment and Stalking charges are not initiated by the police. Anyone can go to a Commissioner’s Office and swear under oath that someone has committed the elements of Harassment and Stalking. A person convicted of Harassment for the first time is subject to imprisonment up to 90 days and/or a fine. Second or subsequent convictions= imprisonment up to 180 days and/or a fine up to $1,000.  A person convicted of Stalking is subject to imprisonment for up to 5 years and/or a fine up to $5,000.

In Maryland, Harassment is not only a misdemeanor crime, but may serve as the basis for obtaining a Peace Order against someone.

The Entry Of A Peace Order Against Someone May Negatively Impact Their Employment And Security Clearance.

To obtain a Peace Order based on Harassment allegations, the burden of proof is not beyond a reasonable doubt, as it is in a criminal case. For Peace Orders, the Petitioner is only required to show that it is “more likely than not” that you are guilty of harassment and then a Peace Order may be entered against you.

Maria Patterson has been litigating for over 25 years. She has tried over 100 jury trials and hundreds of bench trials. Currently, she is accepting clients in all areas but concentrates in criminal defense, domestic violence, and personal injury. Maria has been selected as a Top 100 “Super Lawyer” in Maryland, and a Top 50 Women “Super Lawyer” in Maryland. Since 2014, she has been recognized as a “Super Lawyer” and as a “Top 100 Trial Lawyer” by The National Trial Lawyers. She has been nominated as one of the “10 Best” Attorneys in client satisfaction for the State of Maryland by the American Institute of Criminal Defense Attorneys. If you are in need of legal representation and want an attorney who has a tremendous amount of compassion and trial experience, please contact Ms. Patterson at 301-383-0212 to schedule a consultation at Patterson Law, LLC in Bowie and Annapolis.  Both offices are conveniently located off of Route 50 (Exits 13 and 24).

Thorough, knowledgeable, organized and hard-working are just a few of the many strong attributes that Maria Patterson demonstrates as a superior attorney. I would highly recommend Ms. Patterson for any and all legal needs.

Kathryne

Former Client

I recently hired Maria Patterson (for) an usual legal matter related to my former wife . . . I highly recommend Maria Patterson as an attorney for her professionalism, effectiveness, integrity and over-all exceptional quality as a person.

David

Former Client

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If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident or suffered a serious personal injury due to someone else’s negligence please contact the best personal injury lawyers at Patterson Law. George Patterson has been featured in an article published in the Best Lawyers in America. The “best” injury lawyers may be reached at their Annapolis or Bowie offices at 301-888-4878.

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