• A spouse
• A former spouse
• A resident or former resident of the defendant's household
• An individual who has a child in common with the victim
• An individual who has/had a dating relationship with the victim

TO REPORT A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASE THE FOLLOWING STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN:

• In an emergency call 911
• Make sure a police report is filed
• After the report is filed, the detectives at the police department will investigate your complaint and determine if a warrant request will be submitted to the prosecutor's office

When a warrant request is received at the prosecutor's office a specially trained domestic violence prosecutor will review the warrant. At this stage the prosecutor will also interview the complainant to determine if the offender should be charged with a crime and if so determine what crime will be charged.

If the warrant is authorized, the case begins. The case may be charged as a misdemeanor or felony case. Both are handled by domestic violence prosecutors. You will also be assigned a domestic violence court advocate who will guide you through the court process.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COURT ADVOCATES

Domestic Violence Court Advocates can provide assistance to those with court cases including information on:

• Court dates
• Court procedures
• Your rights
• Counseling referrals

PERSONAL PROTECTION ORDER (P.P.O)

Personal Projection Order (P.P.O.) is an additional tool available for victims of Domestic Violence. PPOs can be used to prohibit an offender from:

• Assaulting, attacking, beating or molesting you
• Entering onto your property
• Threatening to kill or physically harm you
• Removing children from you unless authorized by you or the court in writing
• Interfering at your place of employment
• Stalking conduct such as telephoning, following you or writing letters
• Purchasing or possessing a firearm
• Or any other conduct prohibited by the court

PPOs can be obtained from the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center (City County Building) on the 9th floor. There is no cost to get a PPO. However, there may be a cost to have the offender served with his copy of the PPO.

For further information on obtaining a PPO call the Wayne County Clerk's office at 313 224-6292.

• Wayne County Council Against Family Violence pamphlet

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Domestic Violence Unit: (313) 224-5857

• Detroit Police Department: (313) 237-2579

• Domestic Violence Court Advocates: (313) 224-8500

RESOURCES