Personal Protection Orders

Personal Protection Order

What is a personal protection order?

A personal protection order (PPO) is an order issued by the court. In situations where there is a domestic relationship it can protect you from harassment, assault, beating, molesting, wounding, or stalking by another person. The order can also prohibit him/her from entering your premises and from removing minor children unless the removal is part of a court parenting time order. A domestic relationship includes a spouse or former spouse, a person with whom you have a child, or a person with whom you have or had a dating relationship.

Personal Protection Orders (PPO) The Wayne County Clerk's Office provides direct services to victims of domestic violence within Wayne County, MI. These services are provided in adherence to the Wayne County Clerk’s Office Domestic Violence Program and PPO Victim Advocacy Program.

Wayne County’s Social Service Specialists conduct interviews with victims in order to complete all required court forms and provide counseling on their rights and responsibilities related to the PPO Victim Assistance Program. The Social Service Specialists also assist their client(s) with presenting their information before the court and provide them with crisis counseling and referrals to services at pertinent organizations within the community for added support.

Please note that Wayne County’s Social Service Specialists DO NOT provide legal advice or legal representation to the client(s). They do, however, serve as a liaison and advocate on the victim's behalf, including accompanying the client(s) to court hearings when necessary for moral support. 

Petition for Personal Protection Order

 In order for the personal protection order (PPO) to be processed in a timely manner, there are important questions that will need to be answered prior to appearing in front of a 3rd Circuit Court Judge.

 An advocate will ask a series of questions in order to properly complete the PPO. They are as follows;

 What is your relationship WITH the Respondent?

  • Have you ever had a dating relationship with the Respondent?
  • Have you and the Respondent ever lived in the same household together?
  • Does the Respondent know where you live?
  • Is the individual you wish to file the PPO against 18 years of age or older?
  • Do you have the first and last name of the Respondent?
  • Do you have a physical description of the Respondent?
  • Do you know the date of birth or approximate age of the Respondent?
  • Do you have an address for the Respondent?
  • Describe the events that have occurred, listing when, where, what happened and how many occurrences. List the date(s) if able.
  • Are children involved or in danger in the situation?
  • Did you make a police report?
  • What did the police direct you to do?

 MOTION TO TERMINATE OR MODIFY A PERSONAL PROTECTION ORDER

NOTE: The court can modify, extend, and/or terminate a Personal Protection Order even if you do not attend the hearing. It is important for you to attend when notified. 

Are you the Petitioner or the Respondent in the case?

  • Petitioner is the person who is protected by the order
  • Respondent is the person that the protection order is against.
  • What date did the Court sign the Personal Protection Order?
  • What is the Wayne County Circuit Court case number?
  • Explain in detail to the Court why you want the order modified, extended or terminated?

 

MOTION AND ORDER TOSHOW CAUSE ON A PPO VIOLATION

  •  Has the Personal Protection Order been served on the Violator/Respondent?
  • Has the Proof of Service form for the PPO been completed and filed with the Clerks Office?
  • When did the violations occur? Did the violations occur before or after the PPO was served on the Respondent?
  • Describe in detail what occurred, include when, where and what happened. Please also list the date(s).

PERSONAL PROTECTION ORDER FILING INSTRUCTIONS

 Please visit the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court website at Personal Protection Order Filing Instructions (3rdcc.org) for assistance in helping you file a PPO.

HOW TO HAVE YOUR PERSONAL PROTECTION ORDER SERVED

  • Please visit the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court website at pdf (3rdcc.org) for assistance in helping you serve the PPO once approved and signed by a judge.