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1. Who can get a PPO?

Anyone who has been physically, emotionally or sexually abused by a current or former spouse, a family member, a domestic partner, the other parent of your child, a current or former roommate, or a current or former person in a dating relationship. (This is called a "domestic PPO.")

Anyone who has been "stalked" - repeatedly harassed to the point of being terrorized, intimidated or threatened. (This is called a "stalking PPO.")

2. Can a PPO be issued for a minor?

Yes and no. A minor cannot get the personal protection order (PPO) in his or her own name. An adult must be appointed by the court as a "Next Friend" for a minor under 17 years of age (or a legally incapacitated person). An unemancipated minor cannot get a PPO against his/her parent.

3. Can a PPO be issued against a minor?

Yes and no. Michigan now allows personal protection orders (PPOs) to be issued against a minor - someone under 18 years old. (See Forms CC 375M (PDF) and CC 377M (PDF).) But a parent cannot get a PPO issued against his/her own unemancipated minor child. Don't forget: many of the same "no contact" protections that you can receive through a PPO can be added as bond or probation conditions if the minor is prosecuted for assaultive, destructive, harassing or stalking behavior.

4. Where can I get a PPO?

A "do-it-yourself" personal protection order packet, containing instructions and all necessary forms, is available in the Eaton County Courthouse at:
County Clerk's Office/Circuit Court Clerk's Office
1045 Independence Boulevard
1st Floor/2nd Floor
Charlotte, MI 48813

5. Where can I get help to fill out the PPO forms?

The Circuit Court Clerk's staff are not lawyers, and are prohibited from giving legal advice on how to fill the forms out, what to include, etc. The staff cannot assist you beyond explaining internal procedures of the court. Some domestic violence organizations (such as Eve, Inc. (End Violent Encounters) hold clinics to assist with personal protection order (PPO) paperwork. Contact local women's shelters in your area or local legal aid organization to see if they provide this service. Your local Prosecuting Attorney may also be able to help review your papers, and may suggest additional information that you should include.

Eaton County

• Eaton County Circuit Court
  Eaton County Courthouse
  1045 Independence Boulevard
  2nd Floor
  Charlotte, MI 48813
  Phone: 517-543-7500, ext. 4335
• Legal Advocate
  Phone: 517-543-4606
• Personal Protection Order (PPO) Unit
  Phone: 517-667-0091
• Hours:
  Monday through Friday
  8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Assists victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Barry and Eaton Counties with legal advice, and provides support through the criminal justice process. All services provided are free, including court accompaniment, referrals to community resources, assistance with PPOs, information and assistance on child custody and divorce. Read the Safe Place Victim Advocacy Program brochure (PDF).

Legal advocates and PPO advocates can only offer guidance and support, but cannot provide legal advice or representation.

Ingham County

• Ingham County PPO Office
  Grady Porter Building
  313 W Kalamazoo Street
  3rd Floor
  Lansing, MI 48933
  Phone: 517-483-6545
• Ingham County Sheriff
  Domestic Violence Support
  630 N Cedar Street
  Mason, MI 48854
  Phone: 517-676-8285
• Circuit Court Clerk
  Phone: 517-483-6500
• Warren Foundation
  Phone: 517-484-5050

6. Can I get a PPO right away, or do I have to wait for a hearing?

If you are in immediate danger, you may request an "ex-parte" order, which will take effect immediately without a hearing and without advanced notice to the other party. If you want an ex-parte order, you must convince the judge with specific facts contained in your motion that you are in danger of immediate and irreparable injury, harm or damage (injury that cannot be repaired by a court order after the injury happens) if the personal protection order (PPO) is not issued. "Ex-parte" PPOs do not require a court hearing, unless the defendant requests a hearing to modify or terminate the order.

"Non-emergency" PPOs will require a hearing in front of the circuit court judge before the PPO will be issued. At this hearing, the judge will listen to testimony by witnesses regarding what has happened that necessitates a PPO.

7. What facts do I have to include in the papers?

The facts that you include in the personal protection order (PPO) application are very important! Tell the Judge what your relationship is with the respondent, and what has happened recently that makes you need a PPO. In short, tell why you need to be protected. The forms give you very little room to include facts, but you can attach additional pages. Include detailed facts to support your need for a protection order.

8. What information and documents should I bring when I file for the PPO?

If you can support the facts with evidence, do it! Attach:

• Information or documents that support the facts - police reports, medical records, reports from social agencies, photographs (of injuries or property destruction), affidavits or notarized written statements from witnesses to the events you describe in your motion, etc.
• Proof of domestic relationship - marriage license, child's birth certificate or affidavit of parentage, lease agreement, etc.
• Court documents - complaint for divorce, annulment or separate maintenance papers, divorce decree, custody orders, lease agreement, etc.
• Descriptive information about the person to be restrained, such as name, home address, place of employment, date of birth, Social Security number, driver's license number, and physical description (hair color, eye color, height, weight, tattoos, scars, etc.)

9. Will the person who is being restrained see everything I file, including where I am living?

A copy of your motion and anything you attach to your request for the personal protection order (PPO) will be given to the person you want restrained. If you do not want to include your home address or phone number in these documents, tell the Court Clerk who assists you. She can help you fill out an edited version of the documents with that personal information deleted, which will be served on the defendant. However, you still must give the court a contact address so the Court can send notices to you.

10. Do "domestic relationship PPOs" and "non-domestic relationship PPOs" require the same facts or information?

No. "Non-domestic" relationship personal protection orders (PPOs) require clear facts proving "stalking" before a PPO can be issued (i.e., more than one incident or threats, harassment, etc.). "Domestic" relationship PPOs can be issued after a single incident.

11. The Respondent is a law enforcement officer, or is licensed to carry a gun. Is he treated differently?

A law enforcement officer or person licensed to carry a gun has no special protections against a personal protection order (PPO) petition.

Note: You must advise the Court if the person you are trying to restrain is a law enforcement officer or person who must carry a weapon as a condition of employment! Check the appropriate box in item 2 of either PPO Petition form (CC 375 (PDF) or CC 377 (PDF)). As of July 1, 2000, a Respondent's employer must be notified immediately if a PPO is issued against a person who is identified in pleadings as a law enforcement officer! Also, the County concealed weapons licensing board must be notified if a PPO prohibits a Respondent from owning or purchasing firearms.

12. How much does a PPO cost?

There is no filing fee for personal protection order (PPOs). However, the cost of serving a copy of the PPO on the restrained person (which is the petitioner's responsibility) may vary depending on who does it.

13. What happens at the Courthouse when I file for the PPO?

The following steps occur:

1. Pick up a copy of the personal protection order (PPO) packet and all other forms from the Eaton County Circuit Court Clerk's office:
   Eaton County Courthouse
   1045 Independence Boulevard
   2nd Floor
   Charlotte, MI 48813
   Phone: 517-543-7500, ext. 255
2. Fill out the appropriate PPO Petition (either Form CC 375 (PDF), CC 375M (PDF), CC 377 (PDF), or CC 377M (PDF)). If you are alleging that the respondent is stalking you, don't forget to check the appropriate box(es). Re-read your forms and attachments. Are they complete? Do they fully and accurately tell the Judge what the respondent has done and why you need a PPO? If you are alleging that he is stalking you, do your facts prove the legal definition? Do the forms list all affected people who should be protected by the PPO (you, your children, your work location, etc.)? 
3. Bring these completed documents to the Eaton County Circuit Court Clerk's office. A deputy clerk will look the papers over and assign a Judge and a case number. 
4. If you are asking for an ex-parte (emergency) order, the clerk will bring the papers to the Judge's office. The Judge must personally review the papers. You may have to wait a while, depending on the Judge's court schedule that day. 
5. If the Judge signs your ex-parte order, his staff will bring the paperwork back to the Clerk's office for filing. The Clerk will give you certified copies and will send one to the police department where you live. (If the Judge refuses to sign the Order, he will state his reasons in a memo in your file.) It is now your responsibility to serve the respondent with a copy of your Complaint and Motion for a PPO, all documents supporting your request, and the Court's PPO order.