Facing a stalking charge in Ann Arbor is not something to take lightly. A conviction can affect your freedom, your reputation, your job, and your relationships. Whether the charge stems from a dispute with a neighbor, a difficult breakup, a conflict at work, or something said online, Michigan law treats stalking as a serious criminal matter. And the consequences of a guilty verdict can follow you long after the case is closed.
At Geherin Law Group, PLLC, we understand how quickly these situations can spiral. What may have started as a heated argument or a string of text messages can turn into a criminal charge that lands you in the Washtenaw County court system. Daniel T. Geherin, a board-certified criminal defense attorney, has handled serious criminal defense matters throughout Ann Arbor and the surrounding area, and we know that the facts of your specific case matter more than any general rule. If you are facing a stalking charge, speaking with an experienced lawyer as early as possible could make a meaningful difference in how your case is resolved.
Michigan law defines stalking as repeated or continuing harassment of someone else that would cause a reasonable person in that situation to feel terrorized, intimidated, threatened, frightened, harassed, and/or molested. as conduct directed toward another person that includes repeated or continuing unconsented contact. In plain terms, it generally means more than a single rude comment or unwanted message.
Examples of harassing behavior that can lead to a stalking charge include:
Michigan law also makes clear that stalking does not include constitutionally protected activity or conduct that serves a legitimate purpose. That distinction matters, and it is one area where a defense attorney can often find room to challenge the prosecution’s case.
A stalking conviction in Michigan can carry penalties that go well beyond a fine. Depending on the circumstances, you could be looking at:
Cases handled at the 15th Judicial District Court in Ann Arbor, located at the Ann Arbor Justice Center on East Huron Street, typically involve misdemeanor-level stalking charges. Felony-level matters, including aggravated stalking or charges involving credible threats, move through the Washtenaw County Trial Court. Either way, a conviction creates a record that employers, landlords, and licensing boards can and often do access.
The collateral consequences can be significant. Someone working near the University of Michigan campus, in the medical district along Fuller Road, or in the research and tech corridor along Plymouth Road may find that a criminal record creates real obstacles to continued employment or professional licensing.
Social media has changed the way stalking cases are investigated, charged, and prosecuted. Actions and communications that once required physical proximity or a phone call can now happen entirely online, and the digital trail left behind is often far more detailed than anything a witness could describe from memory.
Michigan courts have recognized that social media posts can be admissible as evidence in criminal proceedings. Prosecutors investigating a stalking complaint routinely review the accused person’s Facebook, Instagram, and other online accounts. They are looking for messages, posts, comments, and interactions that support the allegation. Even content that seems unrelated to the charge can be used to establish a pattern of behavior, challenge your credibility, or suggest intent.
A few things worth knowing if you are under investigation or have been charged:
Actually, one of the more complicated scenarios we see involves situations where both parties have been sending messages back and forth. A person may believe they were simply responding to contact from the other side, only to find that the other party’s messages have been deleted and only theirs remain. Context matters enormously in these cases, and a thorough review of the digital record, including timestamps, message threads, and account activity, can be critical to building a defense.
If you have been charged and you are still active on social media, speak with a defense lawyer before posting anything further. The safest approach is to pause all social media activity until you have received legal guidance.
Every case is different. The defenses available to you depend on the specific facts, the evidence, and the circumstances surrounding the alleged conduct. That said, there are several defense strategies that may be relevant in your stalking case.
None of these defenses come with a guaranteed outcome. What matters is how the facts align with the law, how strong the prosecution’s evidence is, and how effectively your lawyer challenges that evidence. Cases handled anywhere in the Ann Arbor areas, such as near the University of Michigan campus, in neighborhoods like Burns Park or Kerrytown, including those involving students investigated by both the Ann Arbor Police Department and the University of Michigan Police Department often involve multiple layers of investigation that require careful review.
The process moves faster than most people expect. After a charge is filed, you may be arraigned, conditions of release may be imposed, and a hearing schedule will be set. Conditions of release in stalking cases often include no-contact orders, which prohibit any communication with the alleged victim while the case is pending. Violating those conditions can result in additional charges and may affect how the court views your case going forward.
Early intervention by a defense attorney can sometimes affect whether a case is charged at all, what charges are ultimately filed, and whether diversion or alternative resolution options are available. Waiting to get legal help can limit those options.
Stalking cases often come down to credibility, context, and the quality of the evidence. A text message thread taken out of context looks very different when the full conversation is presented. A series of contacts that seemed innocent to the person making them may have been experienced very differently by the recipient. These gaps in perception are exactly where a skilled defense attorney can work.
At Geherin Law Group, PLLC, we do not approach these cases with a one-size-fits-all strategy. We review the evidence, examine the timeline, assess the strength of the prosecution’s case, and build a defense that reflects the specific facts of your situation and your goals. Some clients want to fight the charge at trial. Others want to pursue a negotiated resolution that minimizes the impact on their record and their life. Our law office works with you to understand what matters most and to pursue the outcome that fits your needs.
Our law firm has handled serious criminal defense matters in courts throughout Washtenaw and Monroe Counties. We know the local court system, we understand how these cases are prosecuted, and we provide strong, useful advice and advocacy through every stage of the process.
If you or someone you care about is facing a stalking charge in Ann Arbor or anywhere in Washtenaw County, reaching out to a defense lawyer promptly is one of the most important steps you can take. The earlier we can review the facts, the more options we can identify. Contact Geherin Law Group, PLLC today to discuss your situation and learn what a defense strategy tailored to your case might look like.
