Glen Burnie Domestic Violence Lawyer

Glen Burnie Domestic Violence Attorney

Domestic violence is a very real and serious problem that should not go unreported and should be dealt with in the appropriate legal setting. It is important to know, however, that allegations of domestic violence are sometimes only the result of misunderstandings between parties, and false charges are sometimes intentionally leveled as well. A Glen Burnie domestic violence lawyer can explain your options if you’ve been falsely accused.

Domestic violence charges are serious, and they require the help of a serious Glen Burnie domestic violence attorney. The Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA, provides strong, aggressive representation to protect the rights and interests of our clients in Anne Arundel and Howard counties. Call our office if you have been arrested and charged with assault based on a claim of domestic violence.

As criminal defense lawyers who also maintain a robust family law practice, our attorneys are familiar with all the many ways domestic violence charges can arise in the context of a family matter, including divorce or a child custody dispute. We know that charges are sometimes brought as a result of misunderstandings in the midst of heated, emotional exchanges.

Domestic violence is often prosecuted more vigorously and punished more harshly than other crimes. Convicted offenders can face restraining orders that highly restrict their freedom and movements, on top of any fines or jail time that may be imposed.

In addition to having a criminal record and the negative impacts a criminal record brings, being found guilty of domestic violence can have a devastating impact on one’s reputation as well. Domestic violence seems to have a strong immoral component that may not be present in the conviction of other types of crime.

Domestic violence charges are serious, and they require the help of serious attorneys to defend against. The Glen Burnie domestic violence lawyers at the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA, provide strong, aggressive representation to protect the rights and interests of our clients in Anne Arundel and Howard counties. Call our office if you have been arrested and charged with assault based on a claim of domestic violence.

What Exactly is Domestic Violence?

Perpetrators of domestic violence are not charged with “domestic violence.” They are charged with their actions. Crimes charged under Maryland domestic violence laws can be any of the following acts when they occur between family or household members:

• Assault
• Placing a person in fear of imminent serious bodily harm
• Causing serious bodily harm
• Rape or other sexual offense
• Attempted rape or other sexual offense
• Stalking
• False imprisonment

When the criminal justice system becomes involved and makes an arrest, the charge is not domestic violence, even if the accuser refers to the charge as domestic violence. A domestic violence assault can be charged as a felony offense, so it is extremely important to hire qualified and experienced criminal defense attorneys to help you avoid serious negative consequences from an assault or domestic violence prosecution.

People who have been the victims of domestic violence can also find civil relief by obtaining protective orders or peace orders, commonly known as restraining orders.

We also know that accusations are sometimes falsely made in an attempt to gain leverage in a divorce or custody dispute. Domestic violence laws favor the accuser and make it easy to get a restraining order against an alleged abuser. When criminal charges, such as assault, are involved, a Glenn Burnie domestic violence lawyer can step in.

Our attorneys have a deep understanding of Maryland domestic violence laws. We apply a vigorous approach to defense to protect our clients from the serious negative consequences that could follow if their rights are not fully protected.

Penalties for Domestic Violence in Maryland

Domestic violence penalties in Maryland vary significantly depending on the exact charges you’re facing. The most common form of domestic violence is assault. If you’re convicted of assault in the second degree related to domestic violence, you could face up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $2,500. A conviction of first-degree assault can lead to up to 25 years in prison.

A person convicted of domestic violence may also be subject to a protective order, forcing them to stay a certain distance away from the alleged victim. When parties share homes, frequent the same community locations, or have children together, these orders can be especially burdensome.

Those convicted may also carry a criminal record. While any record can impact a person’s housing, employment, and educational opportunities, domestic violence charges especially carry a strong societal stigma. Anyone carrying this record may feel like they’re enduring a long-term punishment for an incident that was a mistake, an exaggeration, or even a blatant false accusation.

When you hire a domestic violence lawyer from the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA, we immediately start working on your domestic violence case. We maintain diligence and swiftness to protect your rights, freedom, future, and reputation.

What Defenses Could Be Used in a Domestic Violence Case?

Given how complex relationships are and how many individual actions could be counted as abuse, according to domestic violence laws, there’s no one universal strategy for defending an accused individual.

Instead, our legal team can craft a defense strategy that’s customized to your situation. This usually involves potential strategies like those listed below:

• Cross-examining witnesses for inaccuracies in their testimonies.
• Questioning whether abuse claims were exaggerated due to personal bias.
• Debating whether an argument or disagreement qualified as abuse.
• Using character witnesses to demonstrate the defendant’s positive character to the court.
• Debating whether an alleged abuse accusation was a defensive action.
• Highlighting any abuse to the accused by the accuser, leading up to the most recent accusation.
• Showcasing the emotional strain the defendant has faced, which heightens tensions in the situation.
• Challenging whether the injuries another person sustained were caused by them or by the defendant.

The stigma, stereotypes, and emotional strain of domestic violence cases can often lead to assumptions being taken as facts and biases being viewed as a basis for a case verdict. However, our legal team can work to counter the claims against you, using evidence, facts, and legal processes executed with strategic precision.

There are several key steps an accused individual should take the moment they have a charge or even an accusation levied against them. They include:

• Calm communication. It’s natural to feel defensive, emotional, or wronged when an accusation like this is made toward you. However, remaining calm in maintaining your innocence is key to stopping a case from escalating. This can help you avoid giving any more evidence to the case against you.
• Immediately contact a lawyer. When you are accused, hire a domestic violence lawyer as soon as possible. Our legal team can advise you on what to say and how to proceed at every step of your situation. This is crucial, as taking the right steps early on can increase your chance of a more favorable verdict later.
• Share everything with your lawyer. A domestic violence situation can feel personal, but the more facts you share with our legal team, the easier it is for us to protect you. When we have the information in full, we can anticipate prosecution strategies and counter them.

A domestic violence case doesn’t mean automatic guilt. Even a strong accusation and seemingly strong evidence can be debated, countered, and ultimately dismissed. This is all possible if you have the right legal team and defense strategy.

In fact, in May 2025, as a sample month, 40% of domestic violence cases that month were dismissed due to a failure of the petitioner to appear in court. Secondly, the petitioner requested dismissal, and the third most common reason why cases are dismissed is that the petitioner failed to show a burden of proof. This shows just how important evidence can be in a case.

Domestic Violence in Anne Arundel County by the Numbers

Domestic violence is, unfortunately, quite common in Maryland, and Anne Arundel County is not immune. It’s estimated thatthat one in four women and one in seven men have been victims of domestic violence. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to get a clear idea of the scope of domestic violence problems since many less serious cases go unreported.

How a Lawyer Can Help With Your Case

If you are facing domestic violence charges, the first thing you should do is hire a defense attorney. Your lawyer can protect your rights and advocate for you every step of the way. They can:

• Explain the charges against you.
• Look for weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.
• Construct a narrative of the events that paint you in a positive light.
• Gather and analyze evidence.
• Interview and locate qualified and credible witnesses.
• Establish an effective defense against the charges you’re facing.

Your lawyer can also represent you in court, whether you are facing serious felony charges handled at the Circuit Court at 8 Church Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401, or a misdemeanor domestic violence case being tried at the District Court.

FAQs About Glen Burnie, MD Domestic Violence Law

Q: What Qualifies as Domestic Violence in Maryland?

A: Any illegal mistreatment of one family member or intimate partner by another can qualify as domestic violence in Maryland. The abuse doesn’t have to be physical, although it often is. Sexual, verbal, emotional, and psychological abuse are all forms of domestic violence, as well. Statistically, most perpetrators are men, and most victims are women or children, but anyone can commit acts of domestic violence.

Q: Why Do Most Domestic Violence Cases Get Dismissed?

A: Most domestic violence cases get dismissed because of a lack of victim cooperation, insufficient evidence, or complex case dynamics. These cases typically rely heavily on a victim’s testimony rather than physical evidence. If the victim is afraid of their abuser, is financially dependent on them, or has a desire to reconcile, these factors often lead to dropped charges.

Q: What Are the Grounds for Domestic Violence Charges?

A: The grounds for domestic violence charges in Maryland include crimes such as assaulting, harassing, or stalking a victim who is a spouse, partner, or family member. Domestic violence is not a crime in itself. It is an umbrella term that covers many different criminal matters, all of which pertain to the mistreatment of people in the perpetrator’s household or family.

Q: What Is Considered Emotional Abuse in Maryland?

A: Many behaviors can be considered emotional abuse in Maryland. They include any acts that intentionally inflict anguish or psychological harm on another person, typically through verbal assault, harassment, intimidation, or isolation. Emotional abuse is typically recognized within the context of domestic violence, which tends to be characterized by controlling behaviors and restricting access to social support.

Hire a Domestic Violence Lawyer in Maryland

If you have been arrested for assault or another criminal offense arising out of a domestic situation in Anne Arundel or Howard counties, you need to hire a domestic violence lawyer immediately. You can contact the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA, in Glen Burnie or Columbia for assistance with your domestic violence case.