Michigan Spousal Abuse Attorney
Personal Protection Orders

Michigan statues provide for three different types of PPO’s, depending on the relationship of the petitioner and respondent, as well as the respondent’s conduct.

Domestic PPO – prohibits certain assaultive and threatening behaviors and is appropriate where the person has or has had a domestic relationship with the respondent.  This includes a married couple as well as those involved in a dating relationship.

Non-Domestic PPO (“stalking PPO”) – not dependent on petitioner’s relationship to the respondent, but instead requires two or more acts of stalking.

Sexual Assault PPO – protects a petitioner from a respondent who has threatened the petitioner with a sexual assault or has been convicted of a sexual assault of the petitioner.  It also can prohibit the furnishing of obscene material to a petitioner who is a minor.  It is not dependent on the petitioner and respondent’s relationship, and it does not require two or more acts.

A Personal Protection Order, or PPO, is an order issued by the Family/Circuit Court.  Any person may petition the court for this order, or have an attorney file a Petition on their behalf.  A PPO may be used to prohibit a person from assaulting, attacking, beating or molesting you, threatening to kill or physically harm you , stalking conduct such as telephoning, following you or writing letters, or any other conduct prohibited by the court . The PPO may also stop someone from coming into your home or bothering you at work. It can stop them from buying a firearm or finding your address through school records. It can stop them from taking your minor children unless required by the court.  It can also prohibit contact by a person who has sexually abused someone or threatened to do so. 

Contact a Family Law Attorney

If you need help concerning Personal Protection Orders and/or spousal abuse, please contact our Metro Detroit family law attorneys today at (734) 254-1140.