A Maryland Petition for Contempt (Denial of Visitation) is a legal document used to address a situation in which a parent or guardian is denying the other parent or guardian access to the child or children. This petition seeks to enforce a court order that grants visitation rights, such as a divorce decree, child custody agreement, or other court order. The petitioner may seek an order from the court that the respondent must obey the court order granting visitation rights, pay a fine, or both. The petitioner may also request that the respondent be held in contempt of court. There are two types of Maryland Petitions for Contempt (Denial of Visitation): civil and criminal. In a civil contempt proceeding, the petitioner may seek a court order that requires the respondent to obey the court order granting visitation rights. In a criminal contempt proceeding, the petitioner may seek to have the respondent held in contempt of court and may seek a fine or jail sentence.