u/EuphoricOcelot6081

I am in Maryland and a stranger filed phone harassment charge against me as a retaliation (i saved all the evidence of them threatening to end my career) after doxxing me.

They even contacted my workplace, so my job is not stable. I dont have any money saved, and I barely make enough to be above the threshold for PD. What options do I have? Ive been writing emails to local attorneys if they could reduce their rates or consider pro bono...

Thank you.

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I have a clean record: no criminal charges, no convictions, no domestic violence history, no firearm issues, nothing like that. I’m pursuing a military band job, and I’m concerned about how a pending civil peace order case might be viewed if I pass the audition.

The situation involves a total stranger I met online. We never dated, never met in person, and never had any domestic, family, cohabitation, or workplace relationship. After an online argument, I blocked her and tried to disengage. She then escalated by finding my phone number, contacting my workplace/church, and making false accusations against me. I believe this is retaliatory and connected to what I believe was an attempt to damage my reputation and employment.

I have documentation, screenshots, witness statements, police case numbers, and records showing my side of the story. The final hearing has not happened yet, and I am contesting the peace order and seeking dismissal.

My question is: the court gave me two dates (I just found out about this today). July 7th initial, and July 14th final. The sheriff told me that i can go to the 7th, have the judge throw away the case, and be done with it. Is this true?

And the courthouse is 3.5 hours away, and i have conditions that make long distance drive difficult. Would a Motion for Remote hearing be granted if I called the court on July 6th, Monday? I know its not a lot of time.

And i highly doubt this will be the case, but what if the judge grants the final peace order or mutual no contact peace order for 6 months.

I’m hoping someone with military recruiting/MEPS or JAG experience can give me some general guidance.

I have a clean record: no criminal charges, no convictions, no domestic violence history, no firearm issues, nothing like that. I’m pursuing a military band job, and I’m concerned about how a pending civil peace order case might be viewed if I pass the audition.

The situation involves a total stranger I met online. We never dated, never met in person, and never had any domestic, family, cohabitation, or workplace relationship. After an online argument, I blocked her and tried to disengage. She then escalated by finding my phone number, contacting my workplace/church, and making false accusations against me. I believe this is retaliatory and connected to what I believe was an attempt to damage my reputation and employment.

I have documentation, screenshots, witness statements, police case numbers, and records showing my side of the story. The final hearing has not happened yet, and I am contesting the peace order and seeking dismissal, not mutual peace order.

My question is: before the final hearing outcome, would a pending civil peace order petition by a stranger affect military band processing if I pass the audition?

Would recruiters/MEPS treat this differently if it is not domestic violence, not criminal, and not firearm-related? And if the case is dismissed, would certified court paperwork usually be enough to explain it?

Will a pending civil peace order affect my chance at a military band job?

I’m hoping someone with military recruiting/MEPS or JAG experience can give me some general guidance.

I have a clean record: no criminal charges, no convictions, no domestic violence history, no firearm issues, nothing like that. I’m pursuing a military band job, and I’m concerned about how a pending civil peace order case might be viewed if I pass the audition.

The situation involves a total stranger I met online. We never dated, never met in person, and never had any domestic, family, cohabitation, or workplace relationship. After an online argument, I blocked her and tried to disengage. She then escalated by finding my phone number, contacting my workplace/church, and making false accusations against me. I believe this is retaliatory and connected to what I believe was an attempt to damage my reputation and employment.

I have documentation, screenshots, witness statements, police case numbers, and records showing my side of the story. The final hearing has not happened yet, and I am contesting the peace order and seeking dismissal.

My question is: before the final hearing outcome, would a pending civil peace order petition by a stranger affect military band processing if I pass the audition?

Would recruiters/MEPS treat this differently if it is not domestic violence, not criminal, and not firearm-related? And if the case is dismissed, would certified court paperwork usually be enough to explain it?

Location: Maryland

I am the respondent in a Maryland peace order case filed in Garrett County. I live about three hours away from the courthouse, so appearing in person would require roughly six hours of driving, not including court wait time.

I plan to file a Motion for Remote Participation. My reasons are: distance, short notice because I am receiving the paperwork Sunday afternoon, anxiety with long-distance driving, an elderly dog who needs regular care, and the fact that her mother shouted slurs at me on the phone when they called me before i called the police.

I am willing to appear by Zoom from a quiet private location, submit exhibits in advance, and follow all court instructions.

Has anyone here had a Maryland District Court grant remote participation for a peace order hearing under similar circumstances? How likely is it, and is there anything specific I should include in the motion?

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Location: Maryland

I am the respondent in a Maryland peace order case filed in Garrett County. I live about three hours away from the courthouse, so appearing in person would require roughly six hours of driving, not including court wait time.

I plan to file a Motion for Remote Participation. My reasons are: distance, short notice because I am receiving the paperwork Sunday afternoon, anxiety with long-distance driving, an elderly dog who needs regular care, and the fact that her mother shouted slurs at me on the phone when they called me before i called the police.

I am willing to appear by Zoom from a quiet private location, submit exhibits in advance, and follow all court instructions.

Has anyone here had a Maryland District Court grant remote participation for a peace order hearing under similar circumstances? How likely is it, and is there anything specific I should include in the motion?

​

Location: Maryland

I am the respondent in a Maryland peace order case filed in Garrett County. I live about three hours away from the courthouse, so appearing in person would require roughly six hours of driving, not including court wait time.

I plan to file a Motion for Remote Participation. My reasons are: distance, short notice because I am receiving the paperwork Sunday afternoon, anxiety with long-distance driving, an elderly dog who needs regular care, and the fact that her mother shouted slurs at me on the phone when they called me before i called the police.

I am willing to appear by Zoom from a quiet private location, submit exhibits in advance, and follow all court instructions.

Has anyone here had a Maryland District Court grant remote participation for a peace order hearing under similar circumstances? How likely is it, and is there anything specific I should include in the motion?

Location: Maryland

I am the respondent in a Maryland peace order case filed in Garrett County. I live about three hours away from the courthouse, so appearing in person would require roughly six hours of driving, not including court wait time.

I plan to file a Motion for Remote Participation. My reasons are: distance, short notice because I am receiving the paperwork Sunday afternoon, anxiety with long-distance driving, an elderly dog who needs regular care, and the fact that her mother shouted slurs at me on the phone when they called me before i called the police.

I am willing to appear by Zoom from a quiet private location, submit exhibits in advance, and follow all court instructions.

Has anyone here had a Maryland District Court grant remote participation for a peace order hearing under similar circumstances? How likely is it, and is there anything specific I should include in the motion?

I’ve been invited to give a concert at a piano gallery, and I have the opportunity to choose between a Schimmel K230 and an Estonia 225.

I have played both models in different settings before and liked them very much, honestly about as much as many Steinways I have played. However, I have never had to choose directly between the two.

The gallery is across the country, so I will not be able to try these particular instruments beforehand. I would greatly appreciate any thoughts on their tonal character, action, projection, and suitability for a solo recital.

Is this a wise arrangement for helping my church purchase a piano?

I serve as the keyboardist at a Presbyterian church and am deeply involved in its music ministry. I have a very good relationship with our pastor and music director, and I hope to continue serving the congregation for many years.

The church is financially stable and is considering replacing our 45 year old piano with a brand new Yamaha for $76,000. Acting before June 30 could save the church close to $10,000 by avoiding an anticipated price increase, receiving a concert-grand rental for an upcoming recital, and avoiding traditional loan interest.

I have offered two possible arrangements:

The church purchases and owns the piano, while I advance the $15,000 deposit as an interest-free loan and possibly serve as a guarantor so the church can receive 24-month 0% financing.

I purchase the piano personally, allow the church unrestricted use, and the church reimburses me gradually without interest. Ownership would transfer to the church after I have been fully reimbursed.

The church appears financially capable of meeting the repayment obligations, and any arrangement would be approved by Session, documented in writing, and reviewed by legal and financial professionals.

I am considering this because I care deeply about the church’s music ministry and want to help the congregation obtain an excellent instrument while preserving close to $10,000 for other ministries. I am not seeking a profit.

Does either arrangement seem reasonable? Are there practical, ethical, relational, or church-governance concerns that I may be overlooking?

I have other daytime job and I am financially sound. I also consulted my attorney friend and I wrote a letter to the session and a written agreement that pretty much covers everything (what happens if the pastor retires, if I lose my job, if the church dissolves, who pays for the tuning, etc).

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Thank you and God bless you all!