FOR VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT AND HOMELESSNESS

  PERSONAL PROTECTION ORDER(PPO) ASSISTANCE

The PPO Center is available Monday through Friday from 8:00a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The office is located at:

Macomb County Circuit Court Building
40 N. Main St., 1st Floor
Mount Clemens, MI 48043
Phone: (586) 469-7494

The staff at the PPO Office provides support and assistance to over 3,000 individuals each year. The PPO Coordinator explains how a PPO is obtained and how to navigate the legal system. The Legal Advocate is available to help survivors assess the danger they are in, and to provide safety planning and crisis support to the survivor.

What is a Personal Protection Order (PPO)?

A PPO is a civil order issued by a Circuit Court Judge that restrains or prohibits the respondent (person the order is against) from contact with the survivor. To qualify for a PPO, you must establish abuse or threats of harm.

There are two types of PPOs: Domestic and Non-Domestic. The order you are filing depends on the relationship with the respondent, not the acts committed.

To qualify for a Domestic PPO, one of the following must be true:
     The Respondent must be a spouse or former spouse
     You must have children in common
     You must currently reside with or resided with the respondent in the past
     You must have been involved in a dating relationship

To qualify for a Non-Domestic or Stalking PPO, the petitioner needs to show two or more non-related or non-consecutive incidents of assaults or threats that can cause a person to be fearful over a period of the past 6 months.

How do I apply for a PPO?

Forms can be picked up from the PPO Office. It is helpful to bring with you: (three copies of each)
     Copies of police reports or medical reports
     Specific times, dates, and details about the incidents you want t o make the Judge aware of
     Notarized statements from witnesses 
     Custody orders 
     Information on pending or past criminal cases the respondent was/is defendant in. (For example:
     probation/parole conditions, bond information, prior convictions of assaults)
     Any information you believe will assist the Judge in making an immediate decision.
     The address, full legal name, date of birth, and physical description of the respondent. (This information is not only
      important for the service of the PPO, but to the Michigan State Police, as it cannot be entered into the Law Enforcement
      Information Network without it)

When will the PPO go into effect?

The order goes into effect as soon as the judge signs it. But it must be served to the respondent.

What Turning Point Provides

Turning Point's PPO Coordinator is available to assist in filing the PPO, filing motions to enter, terminate, extend and to show cause for violation of an existing order, as well as to answer any questions about the PPO process. Turning Point also has a Legal Advocate that can offer assistance within the criminal justice system, provide support and information in court and help to advocate with law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, etc

PPO forms are available online at the Michigan State court Administrative Office Webpages or through the Macomb County Circuit Court Clerk Fax on Demand:

In Michigan, 1 - 888 - 992 - 5375
Requesting forms 5230 and 5250

Although a Personal Protection Order can assist in keeping you safe, it cannot guarantee your safety. Be advised that the PPO is public record, and the respondent will receive a copy of the information you provided to the court to obtain the order. If you have fled to a different city, state, or country you may file your protection order in a different County Circuit Court. If you feel you are in danger, it is essential that you speak with a domestic violence advocate prior to filing the order, especially if you are still living in the same household as the respondent.