Last Update 08/20/08

Domestic Violence Home Reading Room Search PLL Home

What is "Full Faith and Credit"?
Simply stated, full faith and credit requires that valid orders of protection must be enforced to protect victims of domestic violence wherever a violation of an order occurs, regardless of where the order was issued.

Why is Full Faith and Credit Important?
When victims of domestic violence leave, they and their children are at an increased risk of violence.  Abusers who cross jurisdictions in pursuit of victims may be engaged in stalking, which is significant risk indicator of life-threatening violence.

Who does What Under the "Full Faith and Credit for Orders of Protection" Concept?

Issuing jurisdiction determines:

  • Whether an order of protection should be issued

  • Who is to be protected

  • Terms and conditions of the order

  • Duration of the order

Enforcing jurisdiction determines:

  • How the order is enforced

  • Arrest of authority of responding officer

  • Detention and notification procedures

  • Crimes charged for violation of an order

Technical Assistance of Full Faith and Credit

  • International Association of Chiefs of Police: 1-800-THE-IACP

  • Battered Women's Justice Project: 1-800-903-0111, ext 2

 

Source:  Protecting Victims of Domestic Violence - A Law Enforcement Officer's Guide to Enforcing  Orders of Protection Nationwide by the IACP and Attorney General  as updated by Maryland Legal Assistance Network.  The International Association of Chiefs of Police produces an excellent pamphlet from which some of this information was drawn.  See the website (www.theiacp.org) for the pamphlet and additional resources.

Last Date Review
8/20/08 (PLL/M.A.J.)
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