This toolkit tells you what you need to know about getting a personal protection order (PPO) against someone who is under the age of 18 and has not been emancipated. For general information about personal protection orders against minors, read the Articles. Read the Common Questions if you have a specific question. If you want to try to get a personal protection order against someone who is under the age of 18, use the Forms link to prepare your forms. Go to Courts and Agencies for information about the court or agency that will handle your case.
You'll find links to legal aid offices and lawyer referral services under Find A Lawyer. If there is a Self-Help Center in your area you can get more help there. If you need something other than legal help, look in Community Services. If you need a fee waiver, an interpreter, a court to accommodate your disability, or more information about going to court, visit Going to Court.
Common Questions
There are special forms to use when the abuser is a minor. PPOs are also enforced differently against minors. Both the process and penalties are different from those used with adults. To learn more about PPOs when the abuser is under 18, read the article Minors and Personal Protection Orders.
The abuser will see what you write in your petition. You must have a copy of your PPO petition and any attached documents served on the abuser. The petition and order and all attachments will also be kept in the court file. The court file is a public record anyone can view.
If you want to keep your address and phone number confidential, do not include them on your PPO forms. Instead, give the address of a relative or friend, or a P.O. Box where the court can contact you about your case.
Also make sure you don't file any attachments that have your address or phone number on them (like a police report or medical record).
Your PPO is enforceable anywhere in Michigan as soon the judge signs it. After you have the abuser served with the PPO, it can be enforced in other states as well.