Michigan's Domestic Violence Statutes

• Spouse
• Former spouse
• Person residing or having resided in the same household as the victim
• Person having a child in common with the victim
• Person with whom the victim is having or has had a dating relationship

Domestic Assault

• Victim need not be injured
• Criminal penalties (plus possible probation, counseling, community service, etc.):
  • 1st conviction (misdemeanor): up to 93 days in jail and/or $500 fine
  • 2nd conviction (misdemeanor): up to 1 year in jail and/or $1,000 fine
  • 3rd or more conviction (felony): up to 5 years in prison and/or $5,000 fine

Aggravated Domestic Assault

• Victim must receive serious or aggravated injuries (such as injuries requiring immediate medical attention)
• Criminal penalties (plus possible probation, counseling, community service, etc.):
  • 1st conviction (misdemeanor): up to 1 year in jail and/or $1,000 fine
  • 2nd conviction (felony): up to 5 years in prison and/or $5,000 fine

Bonds

Other Assault Crimes

• Assault With a Dangerous Weapon (felony - up to 4 years and/or $2,000)
• Assault With Intent to Commit Great Bodily Harm Less Than Murder/Assault by Strangulation or Suffocation (felony - up to 10 years or $5,000)
• Assault With Intent to Commit Murder (felony - life, or any number of years), etc.

If You Are in an Abusive Relationship

• Get medical attention if you have been physically injured.
• Save evidence to document the abuse (medical records, photographs of injuries and damage to your property, etc.).
• Make a safety plan, which may include figuring out the "warning signs" that come before abuse:
  • Protect your children.
  • Work out signals with neighbors to call the police.
  • Ask a friend or relative to stay with you.
  • Decide where you can go and what to take with you if you must leave (money, important documents, spare clothes, car keys, etc).
• Report domestic violence and stalking to the police! They can and will:
  • Protect you from immediate danger, and help you and your children get out of the house safely.
  • Arrest the abuser without a warrant when there is reasonable cause to believe that an assault has taken place or that the abuser has violated a Personal Protection Order (PPO) or a restraining order.
  • Advise you of available shelter programs and other services in your area.
  • Write out a police report which can be used to help prove the abuse occurred and show good cause for a judge to grant a personal protection order or a restraining order.