Criminal Matters Related to Family Law in Maryland
When Criminal Allegations Overlap With Family Law Cases
Family law disputes sometimes involve allegations that extend beyond custody, divorce, or protective order proceedings. Allegations of assault, stalking, harassment, theft, or violations of court orders can have serious consequences and may affect both criminal and family court matters.
Attorney Neveen Kurtom represents individuals facing legal issues arising from family and domestic disputes, including matters that may impact custody, divorce, protective orders, and parental rights.
AGGRESSIVE LEGAL REPRESENTATION
Because allegations made in one court proceeding can significantly affect another, it is important to understand the potential legal consequences and develop a strategy that considers both the criminal and family law implications.
Assault Allegations in Family Disputes
Allegations of assault frequently arise during domestic disputes, separations, custody conflicts, and protective order proceedings.
In Maryland, assault allegations may involve:
Physical altercations between spouses or former spouses
Disputes involving co-parents
Alleged threats of physical harm
Incidents involving family or household members
An assault allegation may affect:
Protective order proceedings
Child custody determinations
Parenting time arrangements
Divorce litigation
Maryland courts may consider allegations of domestic violence and abuse when evaluating the best interests of a child in custody cases. Additionally, assault is one of the acts that may support a protective order when the parties have a qualifying relationship.
Stalking Allegations
Stalking allegations are becoming increasingly common in high-conflict family law cases.
Examples may include allegations involving:
Repeated unwanted contact
Following or monitoring another person
Excessive electronic communications
Tracking or location-monitoring allegations
Conduct alleged to cause fear or emotional distress
Under Maryland law, stalking may include a course of conduct intended to place another person in fear of bodily harm, assault, sexual assault, false imprisonment, or death, or conduct that causes serious emotional distress.
Stalking allegations can impact:
Protective order proceedings
Custody litigation
Visitation rights
Ongoing divorce disputes
Because these allegations often involve electronic evidence, text messages, emails, social media communications, and location data may become important factors in the case.
Harassment Allegations
Harassment complaints frequently arise after separation or during contentious custody disputes.
Common allegations include:
Repeated unwanted communications
Excessive texting or calling
Social media contact
Conduct intended to alarm, annoy, or intimidate another person
Maryland law prohibits certain conduct intended to harass, alarm, or seriously annoy another person after being asked to stop and without a legal purpose.
While harassment alone may not qualify for a protective order, it may support a peace order or become relevant in related family court proceedings.
Theft and Property-Related Disputes
Property disputes sometimes arise during separation and divorce.
Examples may include allegations involving:
Removal of personal property
Disputes regarding jointly owned assets
Financial account access
Alleged misuse of marital funds
Taking property after separation
These situations can become particularly complex because family law and property rights often intersect. What one party views as marital property, another may characterize as theft or unauthorized taking. Careful legal analysis is often necessary to determine the appropriate course of action.
Protective Orders and Related Criminal Allegations
Protective order proceedings often involve allegations of:
Assault
Threats
Stalking
Harassing conduct
Fear of imminent bodily harm
A protective order hearing is a civil proceeding, but the allegations raised during the case may have significant consequences for related criminal matters and future custody litigation.
Protective orders may affect:
Custody rights
Parenting schedules
Access to the family home
Firearm possession
Future court proceedings
Because these cases move quickly, early legal guidance is important.
Violations of Protective Orders
Violating a protective order can result in criminal consequences in Maryland.
Examples may include:
Contacting a protected person
Returning to prohibited locations
Violating no-contact provisions
Harassing or threatening conduct after an order has been issued
Protective order violations can lead to arrest, criminal charges, and additional consequences in ongoing custody or divorce proceedings.
Why Family Law and Criminal Allegations Require a Coordinated Strategy
One of the most significant mistakes individuals make is treating family court and criminal allegations as completely separate issues.
Statements made in the following may be later used in other proceedings:
Protective order hearings
Custody proceedings
Divorce litigation
Criminal investigations
A coordinated legal strategy is often necessary to protect both immediate legal interests and long-term family law objectives.
Why Clients Work With Neveen Kurtom
Attorney Neveen Kurtom understands the significant impact that criminal allegations can have on family law cases.
Whether the issue involves assault allegations, stalking claims, harassment complaints, theft-related disputes, or protective order proceedings, the firm works to protect clients' rights while considering the broader implications for custody, divorce, and family relationships. Each case is evaluated individually with a focus on practical solutions, effective advocacy, and long-term protection of the client's legal interests.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are facing allegations of assault, stalking, harassment, theft, or issues involving a protective order that may affect your family law case, contact the Law Office of Neveen Kurtom at (301) 356-4423 to discuss your situation and understand your legal options.