Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Michigan

My neighbor was videotaping my children. He was on his property, they were on their property. My children are minors and my son, who is autistic, is now creeped out by this guy. I called the police and they were on his side. I live in an area with several known sex offenders. I don't know if this guy is or is not one. Since then, I have started to photograph all his vehicles illegally parked in the sidewalk. what are my options? Please help, my children are my life!


Asked on 7/30/12, 9:45 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

Jeffrey S. Kaplan Law Office of Jeffrey S. Kaplan, PLLC

Understand that the police were not "on his side." They don't take sides. They enforce the law. In this case, your neighbor was not doing anything illegal so the police couldn't do anything. Your kids were playing in the yard. Your neighbor was videotaping them. He wasn't able to see anything with the video camera that he couldn't see with his naked eyes. You're right to be suspicious and to take extra precautions to protect your kids, but he wasn't doing anything illegal.

What he is not allowed to do, and what you should watch out for, is him videotaping you or your kids through the windows of the house. Make sure you keep any windows that face his property covered. And if you see him on YOUR property videotaping you through the windows, call the police.

You can find out if he is a sex offender by checking Michigan's sex offender registry at the following link: http://www.mipsor.state.mi.us/.

In the meantime, make sure this guy never comes onto your property or that your kids never go onto his.

Read more
Answered on 7/30/12, 4:08 pm
Jeffrey S. Kaplan Law Office of Jeffrey S. Kaplan, PLLC

I need to clarify my previous answer. What your neighbor is not allowed to do is to be on your property peering in your windows to view something he can't see from a lawful vantage point. For example, if you don't have your windows covered and he's on his own property, he can look in. However, if you have your windows covered and he comes onto your property to peek through the sides of the window, he's committing a crime.

Of course, whether your windows are covered or not, if he comes on your property uninvited he can be guilty of trespassing.

Read more
Answered on 7/30/12, 7:00 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Probate, Trusts, Wills & Estates questions and answers in Michigan