Maryland has very strict domestic violence laws that can have a serious impact on your life. If you are accused of domestic violence related actions, you should be prepared to fight for your freedom.
One thing that is interesting about Maryland is that domestic violence isn’t a charge in and of itself. Instead, the charges that you will face are based on the actions and you would likely face the same charges as you would have if you would have committed the same action against a stranger.
One of the charges that might shock you is rape or a sexual offense. You can face these if you force another person to have non-consensual sexual contact with you. Think about having to face life in prison for this. Now you see the severity of the issue you have.
Another possible charge is assault. You can face up to 25 years in prison for intentionally harming another person, including a family member, spouse or significant other.
Other charges that are possible include stalking and false imprisonment. You can face up to five years in prison for stalking and there isn’t any statute listing a maximum sentence for false imprisonment.
On top of the criminal aspects of the case, you can also face issues in family court. These can keep you away from your loved ones and mean that you have to move out of your home if you share a home with the alleged victim. Ultimately, you should be ready to battle against these charges. If nothing else, your goal should be to minimize the penalties you will face.
Source: FindLaw, “Maryland Domestic Violence Laws,” accessed April 28, 2017