Finding of credible risk of imminent wrongful removal of child; ex parte warrant to take physical custody; opportunity for hearing; contents of ex parte warrant; search of databases to determine history of domestic violence, stalking, or child abuse or neglect; service of petition and warrant; enforcement; finding of bad faith; relief under other law of state.
MCL 722.1529
in effect722.1529. Finding of credible risk of imminent wrongful removal of child; ex parte warrant to take physical custody; opportunity for hearing; contents of ex parte warrant; search of databases to determine history of domestic violence, stalking, or child abuse or neglect; service of petition and warrant; enforcement; finding of bad faith; relief under other law of state.
Sec. 9.
(1) If a petition under this act alleges and the court finds that there is a credible risk that the child is imminently likely to be wrongfully removed, the court may issue an ex parte warrant to take physical custody of the child.
(2) The respondent to a petition under subsection (1) shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard at the earliest possible time after the ex parte warrant is executed, but not later than the next judicial day unless a hearing on that date is impossible. If a hearing on the next judicial day is impossible, the court shall hold the hearing on the first judicial day possible.
(3) An ex parte warrant under subsection (1) to take physical custody of a child shall do all of the following:
(a) Recite the facts on which a determination of a credible risk of imminent wrongful removal of the child is based.
(b) Direct law enforcement officers to take physical custody of the child immediately.
(c) State the date and time for the hearing on the petition.
(d) Provide for the safe interim placement of the child pending further order of the court.
(4) If feasible, before issuing a warrant under this section and before determining the placement of the child after the warrant is executed, the court may order a search of the relevant databases of the national crime information center system and similar state databases to determine if either the petitioner or respondent has a history of domestic violence, stalking, or child abuse or neglect.
(5) A petition and warrant under this section shall be served on the respondent when or immediately after the child is taken into physical custody.
(6) A warrant to take physical custody of a child, issued by this state or another state, is enforceable throughout this state. If the court finds that a less intrusive remedy will not be effective, it may authorize law enforcement officers to enter private property to take physical custody of the child. If required by exigent circumstances, the court may authorize law enforcement officers to make a forcible entry at any hour.
(7) If the court finds, after a hearing, that a petitioner sought an ex parte warrant under subsection (1) for the purpose of harassment or in bad faith, the court may award the respondent reasonable attorney fees, costs, and expenses.
(8) This act does not affect the availability of relief allowed under other law of this state.
2014, Act 460, Imd. Eff. Jan. 12, 2015
Source: Michigan Legislature (legislature.mi.gov)URL: https://legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-722-1529Fetched: 10/20/2026