Legal Advocacy Services

Change First Paragraph under services to: Clients may be referred by community partners such as local hospitals, social service agencies, Child Protection Services, private attorneys, victims’ rights organizations, the public defender’s office, or legal aid. These referral sources may have an ongoing relationship with the individual and assist in connecting them to our services. However, a referral is not required, and anyone seeking support is welcome to reach out voluntarily. If special accommodations are needed, we encourage individuals to contact an advocate in advance to arrange an appointment that meets their needs.

Clients also contact us under the following circumstance:

The client has either reported a recent intimate partner violence, stalking, or sexual assault incident to the police and is referred for a personal protection order.
The client might be in counseling or have contacted the AWARE hotline due to ongoing problems with an abusive partner.
The client may have an existing divorce or child custody matter, which may or may not involve the need for an attorney.
Clients have worked with legal advocacy in the past.

Please note: While Michigan law classifies some cases as domestic violence (such as incidents between roommates), AWARE’s grant funding allows us to assist with intimate partner violence, intimate partner violence & stalking, sexual assault, and sexual assault & stalking. If you are unsure whether you qualify for services, please reach out to an advocate for guidance.

AWARE legal advocates are located at the County Clerk’s office, in the Jackson County Courthouse Building – 312 S. Jackson Street. Advocates are available for walk-ins or by appointment, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information, call 517-841-2952. All services are free and confidential.

What a Legal Advocate CAN Do:

An AWARE legal advocate can assist clients with domestic violence petitions, accompany clients to court for hearings for protective orders, criminal hearings, and other civil hearings; and attend police and prosecutor follow-up interviews with victims, if requested.
Answer questions about personal protection orders and advocate the urgency on your behalf.
Assist with service of personal protection orders.
Assist with filing violations and explaining the violation process.
Help you navigate the basic processes of the criminal or civil justice system and provide appropriate referrals.
Provide emotional support when petitioners are in court.
Discuss options for safety and referrals to support services offered by AWARE.
Provide immediate accompaniment while receiving support from victims’ rights, legal aid, law enforcement, probation, parole, or local hospitals.

Legal Advocates CANNOT:

Function as an attorney on your behalf, such as creating ex-parte documents for you or representing you in court.
Provide any legal advice.
Influence a Judge’s decision regarding petitions/orders.
Guarantee the outcome of any case in any court.
Interfere in criminal justice matters.
Assist with filling out parenting time/custody/divorce motions.

Additional Resources

womenslaw.org
information about laws in every state, as well as space to ask legal questions

michiganlegalhelp.org
self help legal site, also DIY online forms

lsscm.org
Legal Aid

co.jackson.mi.us
Jackson County Prosecutor and Victims’ Rights Unit (victims of open/pending criminal cases)

What is a Personal Protection Order (PPO)?

A Personal Protection Order (PPO) is a court order that requires one person to stop threatening or using violent behavior against another person.

Domestic Relationship PPO is a civil court order that provides protection from harm by the petitioner’s spouse or former spouse, a person who resides or has resided in the same household as the petitioner, someone with whom the petitioner has a child in common, or a person with whom the petitioner has or has had a dating relationship.

Non-domestic (Stalking) PPO is a civil court order available to protect the petitioner from stalking, aggravated stalking or cyberstalking by another person regardless of the relationship. Stalking is ongoing harassment, and behaviors that may include making unwanted telephone calls, sending unwanted text messages, or showing up repeatedly at a person’s home or place of work.

Non-domestic (Sexual Assault) PPO is a civil order designed to protect the petitioner from anyone who has committed or threatened to commit sexual assault. This includes giving or attempting to give obscene material to a minor.

I reported this incident to the police, and they came and made a report, but they did not arrest him. The police gave me an incident number and told me to file for a PPO. How do I press charges on him?

In this incident, two things may have happened. One, the police officer did not find reasonable cause to believe that a domestic assault was committed, or the subject left the scene before the police arrived. Providing an incident number may help the victim in seeking charges or in obtaining a personal protection order. Legal advocates can discuss the procedure for pressing charges.

My boyfriend/girlfriend does not live with me but uses my address and every time they come here, they break into my home and destroy my property. I have called the police multiple times, but they say they cannot do anything without a PPO. How do I get this person out of my house?

Because the boyfriend or girlfriend has mail arriving at this address, the complainant may either seek a personal protection order or pursue eviction. If the parties share any kind of domestic relationship (is a spouse or former spouse, dating or former dating relationship, have a child in common, or is a resident or former resident of the same household) a personal protection order may help in this case.

I talked to someone who suggested I speak to you. My significant other has been getting increasingly abusive and recently it has turned physical, and I fear for my safety. We share children together and he tells me all the time if I leave him, he will take off with the children and I will never see them again.

When addressing divorce or custody matters or rules, and domestic violence is a factor, clients are encouraged to seek an attorney, especially on legal custody matters.

Advocates can provide support and provide basic information about domestic violence or provide a referral to legal aid. Advocates can also help with seeking a personal protection order to prevent further harassment and unwanted contact from the abusive partner.

My child’s parent and I have been apart for years, and he/she continues to harass me daily. We have an active parenting time order in place. Our parenting time is agreed upon so if I do not respond immediately to their requests, I am immediately barraged with vulgar, degrading, harassing texts, or phone calls. My partner has been physically violent in the past and their behavior scares me.

In this situation, a personal protection order may provide relief for the harassing behavior, however, an attorney is recommended for any modifications in parenting time orders.

I reported sexual assault on someone, I only know their name. I have never dated them, but they live in the same neighborhood, and I am scared to leave my house. The police told me I can get a PPO while they are doing their investigation. This will not stop him though. He told me he would harm me if I told anyone. I am so scared. What should I do?

An advocate can assist with applying for a non-domestic/sexual assault personal protection order, and in retrieving information from the police report to complete. An advocate can also provide additional support, including referral to AWARE for services, and discuss options for safety.