Understanding Michigan Probation

Probation is a sentence that a court gives to a defendant  rather than having them go to jail. It can be given either before any jail time is served, as a condition of getting out of jail early, or as a regularly scheduled part of the overall punishment after the jail time has been served. While on probation, you must live in an approved home, shelter, halfway house, or other location. If you want to move to a new location, it must first be approved by the courts and/or your probation officer.

Potential Conditions of Probation in Michigan

In Michigan, there are many potential conditions that must be met while on probation. The severity of each of them will be determined primarily by the crime that was committed. Some of the most common conditions of probation are:

• Meet with Your Probation Officer – If you are on probation, you will have to report to a probation officer. This typically occurs once per month, but could be more or less frequently depending on your case.
• Take Random Drug Tests – Random drug tests are commonly required for those who are on probation, especially if it was for a drug offense.
• Go to Drug Treatment Classes – If drugs were involved with the crime, you may have to attend drug treatment classes.
• No Criminal Activity – You may not commit any new crimes.
• Associate with Known Criminals – In some cases, you will not be permitted to associate with people who have a felony on their record.
• Community Service – Those on probation are often required to perform a certain number of hours of community service.
• Other – The courts in Michigan have a fair amount of leeway when it comes to setting conditions for probation.

What Happens if Probation is Violated

If you violate the terms of your probation, there could be a number of consequences. In some cases, the length of your probation will be extended. In others, the full amount of jail time that you were originally supposed to serve will be enforced. It is also possible that the probation officer and the courts will simply let you off with a warning and have your probation continue, though that is not something you should expect to happen.

Contact Us

While probation is almost always better than jail, it is not something you want to rush right into. If a judge or prosecuting attorney is offering you probation in exchange for a guilty plea, it may not always be a good idea as there can be some collateral consequences to your guilty plea. No matter what probation related issues you are facing, it is always a good idea to have an attorney there to represent your interests and who is on your side. Contact Michigan Gun Law to discuss your situation today.