A probation violation can put you back in front of the judge who sentenced you — and that judge can revoke probation and impose a new sentence, up to the maximum for the original offense. But a violation notice is not the end of the road. How you respond, and how quickly, matters.
Types of violations
- Technical violations: missing a meeting with your probation officer, failing or missing a drug or alcohol test, not paying fines and costs, missing treatment or community service, leaving the state without permission.
- New-offense violations: being charged with a new crime while on probation. These are treated much more seriously and involve both the new case and the violation.
What happens after a violation
- Your probation officer files a violation report, and the court may issue a bench warrant or a notice to appear.
- At the arraignment on the violation, you can admit or deny it, and bond is addressed.
- If you deny it, a hearing is held before the judge. There is no jury, and the standard of proof is lower than at trial.
- If the violation is found, the judge can continue probation, add conditions, impose jail time, or revoke probation and resentence you.
Michigan law now generally limits how much jail time a judge can impose for technical violations of felony probation, with some exceptions. We make sure those limits are respected.
How we help
We address outstanding warrants so you can turn yourself in on your terms, gather proof of your progress — employment, treatment, clean tests and family support — and present a plan that gives the judge a reason to keep you in the community. When the violation is disputed, we contest it.