Concerns about your well-being and safety after being victimized or witnessing a crime are normal. If you have any fears or receive any threats concerning your involvement in a case, you should immediately contact the law enforcement agency that investigated the case. In an emergency situation, call 911 as soon as possible so that the threats can be documented and appropriate action taken.

If you feel that you are being stalked, you can do a lot of things to protect yourself. Here are some suggestions:

• Contact your local law enforcement authorities.
• Get a Personal Protection Order from the county court you live in or Tribal Court only if the defendant is related to you and is also a member or descendent of a Federally Recognized Tribe. If you have PPO questions, you may contact our Victim of Crime Program.
• Keep detailed records of all incidents. When possible, tape-record, videotape or photograph encounters. Make sure the harassment is officially documented in police reports so you can establish a history for court proceedings. Make sure to write down the date, the time and place of each incident. If there is any destroyed property or injuries take photos. Keep all answering machine tapes for evidence, especially those that contain threats to harm or kill.
• Warn people about your situation. Tell family members, neighbors and co-workers to not give out personal information about you to anyone. At work, have visitors and phone calls screened. Tell building security about your situation.
• Secure your home. Install good deadbolt locks and adequate outside lighting. Lock your windows.
• Change you daily travel route so the stalker cannot easily follow you. Do not walk alone.
• Do not continue to have contact with the stalker. This includes agreeing to meet your stalker, responding to phone calls or any other messages, or returning any gifts or items.

Concerns about your well-being and safety after being victimized or witnessing a crime are normal. If you have any fears or receive any threats concerning your involvement in a case, you should immediately contact the law enforcement agency that investigated the case. In an emergency situation, call 911 as soon as possible so that the threats can be documented and appropriate action taken.

In representing a client, a defense attorney may contact you and want to talk to you about the case. You do not have to talk to anyone about the crime, including the defense attorney. If you choose to do so, it is in your best interests to always request proper identification and an explanation of the purpose of the interview. If you have any concerns about talking with a defense attorney or their investigator, you are encouraged to contact the Prosecuting Attorney in charge of your case and to have him/her with you at the time of the interview.

No, you do not have the ability to drop charges. Many people incorrectly believe that a victim has the power to "press charges" against the wrongdoer, or to later "drop the charges". All crimes are offenses against the community, not just the individual victim. Criminal complaints are prosecuted on behalf of the State of Michigan, Tribes or Government not the people who called the police or those who were personally harmed by the defendant's conduct. ONLY the Prosecuting Attorney can dismiss charges. This is important because it takes the responsibility for prosecuting the wrongdoer off the victim's shoulders and puts it on the Prosecuting Attorney's. It also ensures that the defendant cannot "pressure" the victim into dropping the charges.

Although the decision whether to prosecute or not prosecute is ultimately up to the Prosecuting Attorney, the victim's opinion is important and the Prosecuting Attorney will take those wishes into account when making his or her decisions regarding the case along with a variety of factors.

No, you are not required to attend the defendant’s court dates unless you are subpoenaed.

In this case, you should contact the prosecuting attorney's office to discuss your conflict to avoid contempt of court charges.

If you are not receiving court ordered restitution payments, call the probation department at the courthouse where the restitution was ordered and ask for the probation officer who is assigned to the defendant. Update the probation officer if payments have not been made and the probation officer can help you get your money if restitution was a condition of the defendant's probation, and if the defendant is still on probation. Otherwise, contact a private lawyer, because the restitution order is a court order that you can enforce like any civil judgment.