A personal protection order or PPO is an order of protection which is ordered by a court. These court ordered restraints are meant to protect one person from another who believes that they are in danger of being harmed. While these orders are beneficial to those who are truly facing an otherwise dangerous situation in Michigan, the fact is, not everyone who has a personal protection order taken out on them is guilty of any wrong doing.

Cases such as these can be difficult to deal with as issues relating to allegations of stalking or abuse tend to have high emotions associated with them. Further, when someone hears that there is a PPO against someone, the most common reaction is to wonder what they are “guilty” of, often assuming the worst. For this reason, having a PPO against you can have long lasting repercussions on your life especially  in terms of any legal matters such as a divorce, separation or custody matters.

For both petitioners (those getting a PPO) and respondents (those who have had a PPO filed against them) it is important to know about PPO’s and what they mean. For example, there are two types of PPO’s which may be filed including a domestic PPO or a stalking PPO. A domestic PPO is only requested if the respondent is a spouse or former spouse, someone you have a child in common with, someone you have or are dating or someone who lives or has ever lived in the same house with you. A stalking PPO is filed if the respondent is anyone else.

Other things a petitioner needs to know include:

1. A PPO must be signed by the judge to be enforced.
2. After a PPO is signed, the PPO is enforceable anywhere in the U.S.
3. A PPO prohibits the respondent from contacting you at all.
4. In order to renew a PPO, you will need to file a motion to renew at least 28 days before it is expired.
5. If you are afraid of immediate threats, you may file “ex parte” for a PPO which will allow you to avoid waiting for a hearing.

Other things a respondent needs to know include:

1. If the petitioner who has filed the PPO against you asks to meet you, you should not do so as any violation, even one by request, is grounds for arrest.
2. A PPO is not a criminal charge, it is a court order in a civil case however, any violation of a PPO is “contempt of court” . Further, a violation can also be a crime as well and lead to jail time depending on the violation.
3. The petitioner may ask to change or end a PPO however, so too can the respondent.  Either party would need to file a motion to make this modification and then schedule a hearing where the court would determine the outcome of your motion.
4. While a PPO is not a criminal case, it can have long lasting impacts on your life. As we already discussed, these impacts may be most difficult if you are dealing with children. Any PPO which limits contact with the other parent of your child may make it difficult to see your children. In cases such as these, you will need to rely on someone else to contact your spouse or ex-spouse. Often, Friend of the Court is helpful in situations like this. Even if children are not involved, a PPO can cause major restrictions in your life as you will need to avoid certain areas and it will be made public record.

Harris Law is a personal protection order attorney Gaylord MI. If you are looking for a personal protection order attorney Gaylord MI , contact us today.