The Maryland Petition for Permanent Final Protective Order is a civil court order that is designed to protect victims of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault from further harm or abuse. It is used to prohibit contact between the abuser and the victim, and can also grant temporary custody of minor children and/or possession of a shared residence. It can also provide protection for victims of sexual assault or stalking from further contact with the abuser. There are two types of Maryland Petition for Permanent Final Protective Order: (1) a domestic violence protective order and (2) a sexual assault protective order. A domestic violence protective order is designed to protect people from further abuse or harassment from a current or former intimate partner, co-parent, family member, or household member. A sexual assault protective order is designed to protect people from further contact with a person who has sexually assaulted them. The petition must be filed in the District Court in the county where the victim lives or the county where the abuse occurred. The petition must include details about the abuse, a statement of the victim’s fear of further harm, and any other information that may be relevant to the case. The petitioner must also provide evidence to support their allegations. After the petition is filed, a hearing will be scheduled where the petitioner and the abuser can present their evidence. If the court finds that the petitioner is in immediate and present danger, a temporary protective order can be issued until a full hearing can be held. The final protective order may be issued for up to two years.