Walk It Through: A Protection Order In Michigan
Unwanted contact that will not stop, a petition, and an order signed the same day.
Messages keep coming after you asked them to stop.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
One person, one petition and one order issued without notice. A criminal stalking charge, the hearing on a motion to rescind, custody and parenting time, and the court rules on forms are not covered here.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- Dating relationshipFrequent, intimate associations primarily characterized by the expectation of affectional involvement.
- Ex parte orderAn order issued without notice to the other side, where delay would cause immediate and irreparable harm. A personal protection order issued that way is valid for not less than 182 days.
- Personal protection orderAn order of the family division of circuit court forbidding specific acts, available against a spouse or former spouse, a dating partner, someone they have a child with or a household member, or against anyone where the petition alleges stalking.
- Course of conductA pattern of 2 or more separate acts showing a continuity of purpose, which stalking requires.
- Unconsented contactContact begun or continued without the person's consent or against their expressed wish, such as following, calls, messages, or showing up at home or work.