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Michigan Domestic Violence Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Libel & Slander, Criminal Law, Communications Law and Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: I’m looking for an attorney to help me stop harassment- threatening (position as a mother)-mental abuse- lies- defaming

I just filed a ppo and 3rd parties against my ex that we have 2 previous domestic violence but I dropped in 2010 bc the court didn’t do anything after he broke his ppo 4x and the 2nd I didn’t show from fear etc. I want to press charges against both my ex and his girlfriend and will show up this... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on May 17, 2023

You should contact your county prosecutor's office. You should also contact the police concerning any new allegations. Whether the prosecutor will "reopen" the 2021 case is discretionary and will depend on how they feel they can prove that case. Whenever you don't show up,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment for Michigan on
Q: So basically I sexually touched and 13 year old girl and I thought she was 15 and- (more information)

So to my knowledge it was consensual and I never heard her say no, also I’m 16 so what the chance I go to jail

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Mar 22, 2023

Too many unanswered questions to give you an adequate answer. And you shouldn't give more details on a public forum like this. For now, just know that what could or will happen depends on the nature of the sexual touching.

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: What if the alleged DV victim is actually the aggressor?

My husband and I were involved in an altercation. It started with him taking my cell phone from me. I followed him to get it back and told him I’d leave if he returned it. I reached for his hand and the result was me being repeatedly hit and shoved. All while I was only after my phone and keys.... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Mar 21, 2023

Depending on the injuries, it may be possible to speculate as to who was the aggressor.

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: Chances of dropping DV charges

I am a defendant of DV case, Incident happened due to an heated argument and got into minor physical, After 2 days my wife friend call 911 and lodged the complaint and there were some bruises on my wife hands and they arrested me and filed DV case. Now my wife is ready to drop the charges and i am... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Mar 11, 2023

Unfortunately, it's not a simple matter of telling the court "we're good". Your wife can express her thoughts about going forward to the prosecutor. Depending on the facts of the case, even that may not result in charges dropped.

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence and Criminal Law for Michigan on
Q: How does a DV report affect the defendant, if no charges were pursued or filed by the victim ?
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Feb 17, 2023

I cannot tell exactly what you mean by the question. Are you saying a report was made to police and charges were not initiated? If that's the case, then the effect of the police report is minimal. Anyone can file a police report on just about anything; just filing a report doesn't mean... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: Can a parent video tape

My ex-husband was picking up our son at my house as a parenting time exchange.( he did not get out of his truck) Isn’t it against the law to videotape without permission on one’s property?

I feel violated that he felt the need to videotape me at the door and my house. This person also... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Dec 19, 2022

It's not necessarily illegal to videotape on someone's property and what's otherwise in public view. You can tell him to stay off your property, but nothing stops him from recording from the street. If you feel harassed or intimidated, you can seek a PPO.

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: Is this domestic violence? Husband locked me out of our marital home, moved another woman in. I have no access to bank

No communication or warning he didn’t file for divorce. For over a decade, he has been a serial cheater and psychologically cruel He has several bank accounts I don’t have access to. He left me stranded with broken down van. I have several health conditions prevent me from working. I’m... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Dec 9, 2022

You need an attorney. Please consider your local legal aid office as they may be able to assist. I am sure he very much would like you to settle everything without attorneys; doing things without attorneys sometimes works when there is trust and open communication. As you can see, his verbal... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: Going to trial for DV. Victim (my girlfriend) isn’t showing up but a witness said in report she didn’t see it is.

Going to trial for DV. Victim (my girlfriend) isn’t showing up but a witness who put in her police report that she didn’t see anything is showing up. Should be I worried.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Nov 26, 2022

Hard to say. Based on what you're saying, I'm not sure what relevant evidence this witness would be able to testify to that isn't hearsay. The prosecutor can, in some circumstances, use statements your girlfriend made to police, however.

You should also realize that it can...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Family Law, Real Estate Law and Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: My mother's ex-boyfriend was added to her Property Deed for her home without her knowledge/consent. How does she fix it?

My mother purchased her first home in August of 2020. To her dismay, when she was reviewing her paperwork she learned her ex had gotten his name on her deed. Her ex has been terrorizing her for over a decade. He has over 7 violent criminal charges for attacking her, nearly killing her once.... View More

Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on Nov 15, 2022

Nobody can 'sneak' their name onto a deed. Similarly, nobody can REMOVE a name from a deed without that person's active participation.

Your mother NEEDS to get a local real estate lawyer to review ALL the paperwork (as should have been done at the time of purchase, but that...
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1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: Please Help! My Mother's abuser was released from prison today. He is extremely dangerous, nearly killing her twice.

My mother purchased her first home in August of 2020. To her dismay, when she was reviewing her paperwork she learned her ex had gotten his name on her deed. Her ex has been terrorizing her for over a decade. He has over 7 violent criminal charges for attacking her, nearly killing her once.... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Nov 11, 2022

She should contact the parole board and probably the county prosecutor's office. She may also want to see about getting a new PPO.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: What is a red flag 2 a judge/ref w/case of CPS/criminal histories? Do other agencies investigate & report back?
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Oct 28, 2022

A CPS history will always raise a red flag. Criminal histories? Possibly, and depends on when and what happened.

A judge's concern is always the best interests of the child, and will interpret any CPS or criminal history with that in mind. It's not uncommon for BOTH parents to...
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1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence and Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: I live in a market rate cooperative and own my townhouse. I was recently granted a PPO on an employee of the cooperative

That I was dating for the last 5 years. I alerted the BOD and management of the PPO and they haven’t responded, just saying that they have received copy of PPO. When I asked if he was working because I wanted to drop by the office they told me it was employee confidentiality and taunted me. I... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Oct 22, 2022

Your former boyfriend is responsible for adhering to the terms of the PPO; not the employer, who has no more obligation to you than to him. It is unreasonable to expect an employer or cooperative to manage what is a personal legal issue between you two.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: My mom threatened to kill my boyfriend, what do I do?
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Oct 20, 2022

Does your boyfriend know? He's the one that would need to do something about it.

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: Court tomorrow for domestic violence NEED ADVICE

Last year same exact thing happened but she didn’t show up so it got dismissed. So this is technically second one and it’s vs the state not her…. Should I take plea deal for probation or go to trial?? I know she will not show up if so but since it’s vs the state idk! Please help it’s... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Oct 1, 2022

While this answer may be a little late for you, it's worth answering for anyone else in a similar situation.

The decision to go to trial is yours alone, and should be based on the strengths and weaknesses of your case and explained by your lawyer. It's foolish to go to trial...
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1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence and Criminal Law for Michigan on
Q: Will I go to jail right away when I turn myself in for a DV charge with no bond set? My fiance was the aggressor.

I left the night of argument before it escalated. I left and went to my fiance sisters. Meanwhile my fiance walked to her mom's cuz I took the car. Her mother called police cuz she bruised her knee from kneeing a door. No charges pressed. I went home following day. A month later was visited... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Sep 27, 2022

Not going to be thrown out just yet, perhaps. When you turn yourself in, a bond will be set; be prepared to post or have someone ready to post on your behalf. It would be wise for you to retain an attorney immediately to help you through this process.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: A warrant for failure to appear and the case is dismissed for lack of progress - is this with or without predujice?

offense date-09/07/2013; Domestic Violence, misdemeanor first offense; bond set, failed to appear, fines imposed, case taken off docket.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jun 13, 2022

I hesitate about the notation "fines imposed"; that implies there is some sort of disposition on the merits. You really need to contact that court to figure out what is outstanding so you're not surprised in the future. These minor cases have a way of popping up when you least expect... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: His wife didn’t call 911 or even for help nor can she remember what happened and her mother did a lot of illegal things

n: My brother was accused of domestic violence against his wife he recorded the entire fight they had up until the point where he left the house. She was drinking and actually assaulted him multiple times physically with a vaccum tube. An article was published in the local newspaper stating he had... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on May 24, 2022

How did the police become involved? It is possible for both people to be charged with domestic violence. Whether the video will help him depends on the entirety of the situation; the problem with video is that it only shows a moment in time. If I pummel you, then turn on my video just as you are... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: A officer jumped into domestic abuse fight and got hit by accident I’m facing a felony what do I do ?
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on May 2, 2022

You have a problem. If you were fighting, it doesn't really matter whether you intended to hit the officer or not.

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: Can you be charged for a domestic abuse offense after the crime has been committed?

I was arrested for domestic abuse and awaiting pre trial. If my fiancé tells the courts I was defending myself, can they come back on him?

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Apr 11, 2022

If your fiance says you were defending yourself, then that implies he was the aggressor. And so yes, he could then be charged with DV.

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: How am i supposed to go about this case?

Hello. I am currently on probation for Domestic Violence & Felonious Assault with a dangerous weapon.

(story)

I was recently locked up in Monroe County Michigan, from my Fiance. This is all false Allegations, i know for a fact the cop didn't know exactly what was going... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Apr 6, 2022

You are facing a criminal felony charge. Yes, a lot can go wrong. You need to talk with the attorney assigned to you, or retain an attorney of your choice before those court dates, because any attorney is going to need to fully assess the police report and any other evidence there may be before... View More

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