Due to the COVID-19 health crisis, all filings for Personal Protection Orders (PPO) will be done via email at this time. Due to limited staffing, please know that your paperwork will be processed as soon as possible, in the order in which it is received. If you are in an emergency situation, dial 911 or contact your local police department. If you need assistance completing these forms, contact First Step Advocate at (734) 756-0508 or their 24 Hour Helpline of (734) 722-6800, Domestic Violence Advocacy Project- Americorps at (313) 334-7922, Lakeshore Legal Aid at (888) 783-8190 or William Booth Legal Aid Clinic at 313-361-6340 or visit www.wblac.org. If you have further questions regarding these forms, please contact the PPO Advocates at (313) 967-3579.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE EMAIL ADDRESS YOU USE TO SUBMIT YOUR PETITION FILING WILL BE USED FOR COMMUNICATION WITH THE COURT. IF YOU HAVE SAFETY CONCERNS, PLEASE ENSURE YOU ARE USING A SECURE EMAIL ADDRESS.
| Step 1: |
Complete the necessary forms. You will find the forms at www.3rdcc.org or you can click on the links below. Please fill out all forms completely. |
| Step 2: |
The County Clerk will process and file the Petition and forward it to the PPO Director for review. If any additional information is needed, you will be notified at the email and/or phone number you provided. |
| Step 3: |
The PPO Director will forward the Petition to the Judge for approval or denial. Once the Judge approves or denies the Petition, you will receive a copy of the Order approving or denying the Petition from the Clerk. |
| Step 4: |
If the Petition is granted, the Court will transmit the Petition to the Michigan State Police for entry into the LEIN system. |
| Step 5: |
If the Petition is granted, you will need to serve the Petition and Signed Order on the Respondent and file a Proof of Service with the Court. See instructions here on how to serve your PPO. |
| Step 6: |
If the Court denies your Personal Protection Order but sets it for a hearing, you will receive a Notice of Hearing and Proof of Service from the PPO Clerk via e-mail. You must have the respondent personally served with a copy of the Petition, Verified Addendum, and Notice of Hearing within 24 hours after the denial. Restricted Delivery via Certified Mail cannot be used for this. Instructions on how to serve can be found here. |
Petition for Personal Protection Order (Domestic Relationship)
- Use this form if:
- You want an order to restrain another person over the age of 18
- AND
- You are married to the person you want restrained; OR
- You are not married to the person you want restrained but you live with or have lived with him or her and he or she is not your unemancipated minor child; OR
- If you and the person you want restrained have a child in common even if you were never married to one another or never lived together; OR
- If you and the person you want restrained have or had a dating relationship.
Petition for Personal Protection Order (Nondomestic)
- Use this form if:
- You want an order to restrain another person over the age of 18
- AND you do not have a domestic relationship to this person (i.e., neighbor, co-worker, friend, etc).
Motion To Modify, Extend, or Terminate Personal Protection Order
- If you are filing a Motion to Extend or Terminate the PPO or any other filing, other than a petition, please email your pleadings to PPO@3rdcc.org. Instructions on how to serve your motion can be found here.
Motion and Order to Show Cause for Violating Valid Personal/Foreign Protection Order
- Use this form if the respondent has violated your valid personal/foreign protection order and you want the Court to order him or her into Court to answer a contempt charge.
- If the Court grants your request for an Order to Show Cause, you will receive a completed Order to Show Cause, Notice of Hearing, and Proof of Service from the PPO Clerk via e-mail. If you have not received this paperwork within 72 hours, contact the PPO Courtroom at 313-224-0120 or the Assigned Judge.
- If the Court denies your request for an Order to Show Cause, you will receive an Order Denying the Motion to Show Cause.
- You must have the respondent personally served with the completed Notice of Hearing and all supporting documents at least 7 days before the hearing. Directions on how to have your documents served can be found here.
- If the respondent is under 18 years of age, additional copies must be served on the respondent's parent(s), guardian(s), or custodian(s) at the addresses found on the proof of service of the protection order.
- You must file by email the completed Proof of Service with the Court at least 24 hours in advance of your Court date by sending it to PPO@3rdcc.org.
- Attend the Hearing via Zoom. Go to http://www.3rdcc.org/zoom/family-division-domestic and have all of your documents, evidence, and proof of violation with you at the Hearing.
- If you have any questions about this process, contact 313-967-3579.
Additional Petitions Available:
Petition for Personal Protection Order (Nondomestic Sexual Assault)
Petition for Personal Protection Order Against a Minor (Domestic Relationship)
Petition for Personal Protection Order Against a Minor (Nondomestic)
Petition for Personal Protection Order Against a Minor (Nondomestic Sexual Assault)
RESOURCES FOR PPO FILING HELP
Below are some resources available for legal help with your filings for Personal Protection Orders. The Third Circuit Court cannot guarantee whether all of these resources are in full operation during this time. Their hours and services may be affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
First Step
(734) 756-0508
24 Hour Helpline (734) 722-6800
Domestic Violence Advocacy Project - Americorps
(313) 334-7922
Lakeshore Legal Aid
lakeshorelegalaid.org
(888) 783-8190
William Booth Legal Aid Clinic
wblac.org
(313) 361-6340
Michigan Legal Help
michiganlegalhelp.org
Click here to schedule a virtual legal consultation with a member of the Detroit Bar Association! The volunteer attorneys are available to assist with a variety of legal issues.
If you have further questions regarding these forms, please contact the PPO Advocates at (313) 967-3579. Please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for assistance in finding contacts for local resources in the area that may be of assistance.