Like many other states, Michigan makes acts of domestic violence criminal offenses. The two primary crimes of domestic violence are domestic assault and domestic assault and battery. The two terms are given identical legal treatment and are basically interchangeable. They are really just modifications of pre-existing assault/assault and battery offenses based on the victim being a spouse or in a dating relationship with the perpetrator. Domestic assault/domestic assault and battery is a misdemeanor punishable by 93 days in jail and … Read More →

In Michigan civil court, a plaintiff who has suffered domestic violence can seek compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, as well as pain and suffering depending on which causes of action are brought against their abuser. The amount you could be awarded for pain and suffering is somewhat subjective. It is based on the amount that is determined to fairly account for the suffering inflicted on the plaintiff. As such, it is quite helpful to have an attorney who can … Read More →

This is an extremely important issue. You can and should ask for an ex-parte order. This temporary emergency order will protect without the need to have a hearing or inform your abuser. If you don’t get an ex-parte order, not only will you have to serve notice on your abuser, but a hearing will be scheduled. In that hearing, your abuser will be allowed to testify and to contest your protection order. If the judge denies your request for an … Read More →

This is likely to be a case of domestic violence, so you might consider getting a Personal Protection Order (PPO) against that person. It is committed by someone with whom you share a domestic relationship. A domestic relationship can be any one of the following:   A spouse or other family member   The unmarried parent of your child   Someone you are living with or have lived with previously   Anyone you have ever been romantically involved with   … Read More →

Protection orders targeting military personnel are affected by similar regulations as other domestic issues in a military context. In that military context, PPO’s are called civilian protection orders (CPO). There are also MPOs which protect military personal from someone else. What happens if my domestic abuser is in the military? He will enjoy certain procedural protections to prevent unfairness against a person who might be posted out of state or overseas. This is especially crucial for a service member because … Read More →

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 … Read More →

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 … Read More →

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 … Read More →

Michigan is a no-fault divorce state, which means you can fairly easily get a divorce without having to wait for domestic violence to break out between you and your spouse. All you need to show is that the marital relationship has become broken beyond repair (although violence breaking out between spouses is a pretty good indicator of a breakdown). It is highly advisable to seek a legal separation (a temporary stopgap prior to a final divorce) and consider the merits … Read More →