{"id":374106,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:40","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/michigan-law\/michigan-domestic-violence-laws.html"},"modified":"2018-03-22T14:49:00","modified_gmt":"2018-03-22T19:49:00","slug":"michigan-domestic-violence-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/michigan-law\/michigan-domestic-violence-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Michigan Domestic Violence Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Michigan Domestic Violence Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Crimes of abuse extract a heavy price from their victims. When the abuser is someone who should be trustworthy, it’s even worse. Domestic violence<\/a> is a blight on our society that ruins lives and destroys families. Michigan has laws in place to protect victims and keep their abusers away.<\/p>\r\n

To stop domestic violence, it helps to understand exactly what it is. Using this article as your guide, you’ll discover what relationships fall under domestic violence, what protections and penalties become available when it occurs<\/a>, and how the Michigan legal system deals with it.<\/p>\r\n

For a thorough explanation of the protective orders available in Michigan and how they work, take a look at FindLaw’s Michigan Protective Orders Laws<\/a> article. Otherwise, read on for critical knowledge about domestic violence laws in Michigan.<\/p>\r\n

Michigan Domestic Violence Laws: What Is Domestic Violence?<\/h2>\r\n

Classifying a criminal act as domestic violence in Michigan requires that two distinct elements are met. If both parts aren’t present, then it can’t be an episode of domestic violence<\/a>. That doesn’t make it any less of a crime. If you punch someone in the face, you’ll face assault charges whether it’s domestic violence or not.<\/p>\r\n

In Michigan, there is not one criminal offense called "domestic violence." Instead, any number of crimes may be viewed as domestic violence when committed against a family or household member.<\/p>\r\n

Breaking down the requirements makes it easier to understand what domestic violence is. Let’s examine them one at a time.<\/p>\r\n

Domestic Violence in Michigan: The Participants<\/h3>\r\n

Abusive crimes require an abuser and a victim. Part of what makes a domestic violence offense different is the relationship between them. A domestic abuse crime can never take place between strangers. In addition to certain criminal acts, domestic violence is focused on persons considered family or household members<\/a>, including:<\/p>\r\n