Question: A girl is bothering my son (notes at school, following him, calling our house). Is there anything my husband and I can do?
Answer: Michigan has adopted a “stalking law” which allows the Family Court to issue an order, called a Personal Protection Order (stalking), to stop that kind of behavior.
A stalker is someone who makes unwanted telephone calls, “shadows” or threatens another, writes them unwanted letters, shows up at their home, school or workplace, and the like.
Anyone who has been the victim of stalking may ask the Court to issue an order to stop these acts by filing a written request.
The forms are available at the Clerk’s offices in Grand Haven, and there is even a public advocate to help a victim through the process. There are no filing fees and the orders are immediately enforceable when issued by a judge.
If the order is challenged by the stalker, the Court will set a hearing.
The public advocate can help a victim at such a hearing, but you may want to talk to a lawyer to make sure you understand the issues the judge will consider.