Lawyers, Answer Questions  & Get Points Log In
Michigan Domestic Violence Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Domestic Violence and Juvenile Law for Michigan on
Q: Can the police make a 14 year old go back to her home, where she says she is being abused? She's at a teen safe-house.

A report has been filed with CPS. Her parents filed a police report when she didn't return home from school. A teenage friend took her to the teen shelter for homeless and run away kids. Her parents and police are there telling her she has to go home with her father, and she's very frightened.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Dec 10, 2021

Sounds like this is in the hands of the professionals; I would leave it there. If there's a genuine concern, CPS will take appropriate measures. For your sake, do not involve yourself in this situation in a negative way by having her stay with you.

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: I’m a victim in a domestic violence case and want to know how i can drop the charges & get the no contact order dropped
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Nov 10, 2021

You can't get the charges dropped; the prosecutor makes that decision. You also cannot just have the no contact order dropped; that's the judge's decision. Can both happen? Yes; will they because you want them to? Not necessarily.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Domestic Violence, Gov & Administrative Law and Legal Malpractice for Michigan on
Q: I have been charged for a misdemeanor. Covid caused court delays and my Jury Trials turned into a pressured guilt fest

I had 3 pre-trial conferences with the Assistant Prosecutor and my lawyer. 3 dates were scheduled for Jury trial of which, 1 turned into another pre-trial. 2 of them were cancelled due to covid but I was still required to show up in front of the judge and it was literally just the judge calling... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Oct 18, 2021

You are not alone. However, the court did not cause you to lose your paid representation; that is between you and your attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support and Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: I need a good divorce lawyer but looking for a Pro bono one, I'm disabled and have no income.

My husband controls all financial decisions in our lives. I'm also in poor health I can't drive so that's a problem when meeting lawyers or paperwork I need, husband thinks it's funny.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Oct 4, 2021

Contact your county's legal aid office. Your chances of finding an attorney outside of legal aid to take on a divorce case pro bono is slim to none.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Personal Injury and Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: How do I sue a county?

I was hit in the head with a wooden baseball bat and no one was held responsible even though I know who did it. I almost lost my life

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Sep 5, 2021

What is your theory that the county government is responsible for an individual's potentially criminal actions? You also need to consider that police and prosecutors have qualified immunity for their actions.

A more effective route to consider might be suing the person you claim hit you.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: Will my boyfriends charges of domestic violence get dismissed If I want to drop the charges?

Will my boyfriends charges of domestic violence get dismissed If I want to drop the charges?

Hello I pressed charges on my boyfriend for assaulting me he got charged with a misdemeanor and a felony.I bonded him out and let him back secretly because there was a ppo placed on him.Well I had... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jul 27, 2021

The court, prosecutors, and police are not social workers, mental health experts, or relationship counselors. Your boyfriend is charged with a crime; one that you reported, and then went a step further to request a PPO. And it sounds like you did the necessary but hard work there. However, once you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody, Domestic Violence and Native American Law for Michigan on
Q: Requesting parenting time because of a move ahead of us and changing my child's residence?

court-ordered to stay in the county unless other parent okays it

we both have legal and joint custody

parenting time is currently not court specified as we live together but don't couple.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jul 7, 2021

You will likely need to file a motion with the court if there is no agreement. If the child is in school, the staying parent will likely be granted primary physical custody.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: How long does michigan have to schedule a pre exam conference from arraignment date?

It's a misdemeanor charge and he has been arraigned but not able to bond out due to the conditions of the bond. He's been in jail for 20 days and no scheduled date has been set.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jun 22, 2021

Misdemeanors are different than felonies. There is no preliminary exam. He will have a pretrial conference, hopefully soon. Additionally, he can have his attorney file a motion for bond after 28 days.

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: Can I get into trouble if I tell the truth when I testify in court on Friday. The truth is different then then report

I panicked when writing police report and when talking to detective. Now I have to testify on friday and want to know if I will get into any legal trouble if I tell the truth which is diff then the report

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on May 18, 2021

Depends...police reports are not evidence, but if what happened is markedly different from what you reported, you could be charged with making a false report. It is, however, not uncommon that witness or victim testimony differs from what was in the report. Expect the prosecutor to try to reconcile... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: My boyfriend was very abusive and left marks all on my face and neck almost a week ago.I have photos to prove it..

Can I still go to the police station and press charges?..He got a domestic and arrested last July from hitting me but it was dismissed.I didn't go to court to testify against him.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on May 17, 2021

Absolutely you can. But if you are unwilling to testify again, the same result might happen.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: I’m asking what can someone be charged with if they call an say they gonna have someone kill my boyfriend,AN WE HAVE IT

On recording

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on May 10, 2021

File a police report and see. Depending on what they find, they could recommend a number of criminal charges to the prosecutor, who is ultimately the decider of who gets charged with what. Your boyfriend may also consider applying for a personal protection order.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Divorce and Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: Is it legal to record domestic assault and abuse against me?

I have video proof of my spouse physically assaulting me (burning and poking me with a red hot metallic chopstick) while continuously accusing me of *multiple* affairs. Now I moved out and filed for a divorce. Can these videos be used as evidence in court?

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Apr 7, 2021

Possibly. But Michigan is a no-fault state: all either person needs to say is that there's been a breakdown of the marital relationship. If you were to pursue a civil lawsuit for abuse, those videos may be more necessary. But the best evidence, of course, would be a criminal conviction.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: Me and my fiancé got into an argument and I was driving around the block following him and I thought he used a fire aloo

Me and my fiancé got into an argument and I was driving around the block following him and I thought he used a fire arm towards my vehicle but he didn’t & I panicked and called police, he was arrested two days later. I been trying to figure out what to do and how to drop charges, I had been... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Mar 31, 2021

The reality is that once police and the prosecutor get involved, you lose control over what happens. You can be compelled to testify, and if it comes down to it, the prosecutor will request a material witness warrant for you.Will they do it? Who knows. A lot depends on not only what your fiance is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Real Estate Law and Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: What type of a attorney do I need

I have a 39 year old son who is currently in Rehab, Multiple drug charges, Who thinks that because his name is on my my home, has never paid a dime, expects me to give him the house for him and his girlfriend and her children, he has already aggressively assaulted my daughter over the girlfriend,... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Mar 19, 2021

You may want to contact Adult Protective Services for referrals to community resources - including attorneys - that might help. You will likely either need to force a sale of the home or get him to agree to have his name removed from the home. I'm not sure what you mean by the restraining... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: What is my legal recourse for sigificant other threatning to make false allegations of domestic violence?

I have recently terminated relationship with said person after she followed through with threats and called the cops on me. I have video proof of her admitting after the fact saying she lied and made it seem like a domestic. I have no criminal record and don't want one. Do i have any legal... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Mar 15, 2021

Are you actually charged with a crime? If so, what you have recorded should be presented, through your attorney, to the court.

Can you sue her? Possibly. But without actual prosecution, I'm not sure what grounds you would have. If you weren't arrested, it sounds like the police...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: I have video proof of girlfriend threatning to make false allegations against me. What can I do?
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Mar 15, 2021

Sounds like you have all the evidence you need to determine whether you should continue to be involved with this person. For now, keep what you have in case you need it later. Just know that you continue to engage in a back-and-forth, the court may have equally as short of patience with you as with... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Constitutional Law and Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: I'm being Subpoenaed to the grand jury cause my girlfriend and me were In a heated argument and she pulled a knife out

And I spun around and the knife stabbed me but when police arrived at the house I stated that I fell down the steps and now they are pretty much making me testify against her which I don't wish to do cause it could land me in jail also I need an attorney to represent me in this matter so I can... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Feb 16, 2021

You must appear as ordered by the subpoena. "Pleading the fifth" is a lot more complex than most people realize, and it's absolutely not the case where you can just go into a courtroom, say you're pleading the fifth, and just walk out while everyone shrugs their shoulders. If it... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: Can both parties in a domestic violence case file a motion to have no contact order dismissed
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Feb 5, 2021

A motion would not be the proper vehicle. The victim needs to contact the prosecutor's office, or if it has one, specifically the victim / witness coordinator. Some judges will want the victim to state it on the record, and usually during a plea or sentencing. But keep in mind that the judge... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: Charged with domestic violence in 2008

And they dropped the charges when my husband and children left the state and now it shows up on my record but it says it's nulled how do I get that taken care of

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jan 26, 2021

What record are you looking at? It's possible and likely that an arrest record remains even when charges are dropped or expunged.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: My husband is on probation for domestic violence he got another domestic violence for attacking me again. What now
Daniel Hilf
PREMIUM
Daniel Hilf
answered on Jan 18, 2021

Your husband will likely face a new criminal prosecution, as well as a probation violation. The court will likely impose a no contact order to prevent him from having contact with you, if he is able to post bond. If he is unable to post bond, he will remain in custody throughout the court... View More

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.