Stalking And Harassment
MCL 750.411h — a course of conduct, and a request to stop
Stalking is a willful course of conduct involving repeated or continuing harassment that would make a reasonable person feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, threatened, harassed or molested, and actually does. A course of conduct is 2 or more separate acts showing a continuity of purpose. Harassment does not include constitutionally protected activity or conduct that serves a legitimate purpose.
The section's examples of unconsented contact, meaning contact begun or continued without consent or against the person's expressed wish:
- Following the person, or appearing within their sight.
- Approaching or confronting them in a public place or on private property.
- Appearing at their workplace or home.
- Entering or staying on property they own, lease or occupy.
- Phone calls, mail, and electronic messages.
- Placing an object on, or delivering one to, their property.
A request to stop changes what the law presumes. Where the defendant kept up repeated unconsented contact after the victim asked for it to stop, the law presumes, unless the presumption is rebutted, that the continued conduct caused the victim to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, threatened, harassed or molested.
| The circumstance | The maximum |
|---|---|
| The circumstanceStalking | The maximumA misdemeanor: 1 year, a fine of $1,000, or both |
| The circumstanceA victim under 18, and the stalker 5 or more years older | The maximumA felony: 5 years, a fine of $10,000, or both |
The court may order probation of up to 5 years, with conditions that include no contact with the victim. A personal protection order against stalking is available against anyone, whether or not there is a criminal charge.
Section 411i, which the protection order statute names beside this one, is not covered here.
Sources for this section (2)
- MCL 750.411h — Stalking
- MCL 600.2950a — Personal protection orders against stalking
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Michigan attorney.