All the attention you got from your ex felt flattering while you were together. But now that the relationship is over, it feels scary and dangerous. What can you do to keep an unwanted follower away from you? Maybe you’ve heard of restraining orders but don’t know how they work. This article is a brief summary of protective orders laws in Michigan.
Protective Orders Laws
Protective orders, or "restraining orders" as they're more commonly called, are court-ordered documents that require a named individual to stay a certain amount of distance away from the person seeking the order. The purpose of protective orders are to protect abused spouses from their abusers, but also may be used to keep stalkers away.
Protective Orders in Michigan
Michigan protective order laws provide a minimum of 182 days of protection, unless modified by the court. The following table covers the basic provisions of Michigan protective order laws.
| Code Section | 600.2950 personal protection order & 2950a |
| Activity Addressed by Order | Enjoin contact; exclude from premise, work; regarding minors: exclude from minor children, enjoin possession of firearms; deny access to information |
| Duration of Order | Minimum 182 days unless modified |
| Penalty for a Violation of Order | Civil or criminal contempt: jail, maximum 93 days and fined maximum $500 |
| Who May Apply for Order | Household member, spouse/ex-spouse, parent of one's child, dating relationship. |
| Can Fees Be Waived? | - |
| Order Transmission to Law Enforcement | Copy entered into law enforcement information network by law enforcement agency designated by court in order |
| Civil Liability for Violation of Order | Yes, for false statements made in court |
Michigan takes the issue of Domestic Violence very seriously, and survivors of domestic violence have numerous options to protect themselves from further stalking and abuse. While protection orders may not prevent every harmful scenario, they can provide the victim some criminal recourse if the abuser violates an order. Most states have emergency protection orders, which are short-term protection orders to give a victim more time to request a longer-term order. And federal protection order law requires every state to honor and enforce protection orders issued by other states.
Michigan Protective Orders Laws: Related Resources
Getting, maintaining, and enforcing a protective order can be tricky, and state laws are constantly changing. If you would like legal assistance, you can contact a Michigan domestic violence attorney in your area to discuss your case. You can also visit FindLaw’s Orders of Protection and Restraining Orders section for more general information on this topic.
