Yes, especially if you have ever been a victim or a perpetrator of domestic violence. Under Michigan law, the police may perform a warrantless arrest of anyone if they have probable cause that domestic violence has occurred, or if they have reason to believe that person is subject to a PPO and has subsequently violated that protection order in some way.
However, this warrantless arresting authority is only valid for the following suspected PPO violations:
- Entering a protected premises
- Attacking the petitioner (the person protected by the PPO)
- Threatening to kill or harm the petitioner
- Removing a minor child from ��their legal custodian
- Purchasing or owning a firearm
- Preventing the petitioner from removing their children or personal property from any premises owned or leased by the person restricted by a PPO
- Interfering with the petitioner at their work or school
- Stalking
This is something important to keep in mind if you are concerned about a potential hostile encounter with your abuser or if you have a record of abuse and suspect that you may be going into a situation where you may have a less than cordial encounter with the party at the other end of that particular incident.
If someone is arrested for violating the terms of a PPO, they could be charged with criminal contempt, which carries a max sentence of 93 days in jail and a $500 fine.��For additional information,��click here.
Click here to download your free Domestic Violence��E-book.