41B DISTRICT COURT PROBATION DEPARTMENT

The Mission of the 41B District Court Probation Department is to provide and/or refer offenders to programs that promote accountability, reduce criminal behavior and support an environment for change and rehabilitation, which, ultimately, will ensure the safety of the community.

Probation is used to protect the community through evidence-based practices, emphasizing rehabilitation and accountability of the offender.  Probation gives the individual an opportunity to set new goals, examine current and past behaviors, and make the changes necessary to become a productive member of society.   It can also be used as an alternative to a jail sentence, or when there is a need to address poor decision making, leading to criminal activity.  Probation can be a period in which the Court keeps its sentencing options open and allows the defendant to prove that they can stay out of further difficulty and lead an acceptable lifestyle.  Probation can also be very demanding, including requirements such as frequent reporting, drug and alcohol testing, restitution, community service, counseling, 12 step community support group meetings, education completion, and other services designed to promote self-growth.   It can be more difficult than jail and is less expensive to the community than incarceration.

The probation department seeks to increase safety and reduce crime in the community through supervision of the offender.  Probation Officers implement the terms and conditions of probation set forth at sentencing.  They provide probationers with guidance on personal, financial, and related problems, but generally refer probationers to outside agencies for counseling.  The probation officer may be required to assist the probationer in securing employment, entering school, or referring them to training to improve their work skills.  They work with the offender to identify the reason(s) why the defendant became involved with the court system.   It is the goal of the probation department to assist in rehabilitating the offender so they do not re-enter the criminal justice system.

Reporting Probation

REPORTING PROBATION INSTRUCTIONS
You have been placed on Reporting Probation which means you must report in person to your Probation Officer.   You are required to enroll in and begin any/all classes/treatment/testing as ordered by the Judge prior to your first appointment   It is advised that you keep all your probation paperwork in ONE place. PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY. Any questions you may have can be addressed with your Probation Officer on your report day.

YOU ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT ON YOUR SCHEDULED DATE AND TIME 

REPORTING FOR PROBATION: You are advised to arrive early. Upon arrival, complete a ‘Monthly Report Form’ and be seated in the lobby. Your Probation Officer will call you in from the lobby at your scheduled appointment time. You will receive your next appointment date and time BEFORE you leave.   If you miss your appointment DO NOT CALL THE COURT OR PROBATION, you will receive a notice in the mail from your Probation Officer regarding the status of your case. Appointments are scheduled every 15 minutes; if you are late you will not be seen and will be considered a no show. PROBATION IS AN ALTERNATIVE TO JAIL. It is your responsibility to make every effort to appear for your appointment at your scheduled date and time. Appointments WILL NOT be rescheduled, they are scheduled far enough in advance to allow you sufficient time to make any arrangements needed.

PROBATION VIOLATIONS: The list below contains a number of reasons that will warrant a probation violation. This is by no means a complete list & some of the conditions listed below may not apply to your specific case. If you violate your probation for any reason, you will be required to appear before your sentencing judge for a Probation Violation Hearing and face possible sanctions.

• Failure to refrain from use of or possession of alcohol and drugs.
• Failure to appear for probation appointments.
• Failure to obtain permission to leave the state/country. Failure to update probation with your current address.
• Failure to refrain from violating any criminal laws or report any police contacts and/or arrest or charges.
• Failure to attend and/or complete any classes and/or treatment ordered by the Judge.
• Any missed, late or altered drug/alcohol screens. Providing falsified documents.
• Failure to pay fines & costs by the due date or failure to pay monthly oversight fees.

FAIL TO REPORT/LATE FOR SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT: Failure to report when scheduled may result in a probation violation warrant for your arrest. If you are late for your appointment you will be considered a no show and a probation violation warrant may be issued. DO NOT CALL the Probation Department, your Probation Officer will review your file and notify you by mail of his/her decision.

FINES & COSTS: For those defendants who were granted time to pay, your entire amount is due on/before the due date. Fines & costs not paid in full by the due date may result in a probation violation warrant.

OVERSIGHT FEES: Your monthly oversight fee is due on the day you report. Failure to pay your probation oversight fees monthly may result in a probation violation warrant.

PHONE CALLS: DO NOT leave a message if you are unable to report on your report date. Phone messages will not be honored or returned, you must speak with your Probation Officer directly. ALL questions regarding your probation are to be address with your Probation Officer on your scheduled report date.

ADDRESS CHANGES: You must report all address changes within 24 hours via e-mail or phone call to your probation officer.

DRESS CODE:   Probationers not properly dressed will not be permitted to report and will be treated as a no show. The excessive showing of skin, wearing gang related clothes, half tops, cut offs and mini-skirts are prohibited. Space is limited in the probation department, you are to report alone. Please do not attend with children.

PERMISSION TO LEAVE STATE/COUNTRY: Permission to leave the state/country must be requested one (1) week in advance.
You may be required to provide documentation.

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP TRACK OF ALL DEADLINES, DATES AND PROBATION APPOINTMENTS

Non-Reporting Probation

NON REPORTING PROBATION INSTRUCTIONS

You have been placed on Non Reporting Probation. This means you do not have to report in person to the court on a monthly basis.

Probation Department contact info:  
Phone:   586-469-9300
Fax:       586-569-7935

Probation Officer Assigned Based On Last Name:

A – F   Scott Strickler     586-569-7867   s.strickler@41bcourt-mi.us

G – N  Jaime Connolly   586-569-7865   j.connolly@41bcourt-mi.us

O – Z Carla Brownlee   586-569-7837   c.brownlee@41bcourt-mi.us

If you have been ordered to complete educational classes, outpatient counseling, A.A./N.A. meetings and/or submit to random alcohol/drug testing, it is your responsibility to provide the court with verification of completion or attendance within the first three months of your probation term. Failure to provide verification of completion for any court ordered conditions in a timely manner may result in a probation violation warrant.

FINES & COSTS: For those defendants who were granted time to pay fines & costs, your entire amount is due on/before the due date. Fines & costs not paid in full by the due date may result in a probation violation warrant.

ADDRESS CHANGES: You must report all address changes within 24 hours via e-mail or phone call to your Probation Clerk.

POLICE CONTACT: If you have police contact of any kind it is your responsibility to notify your Probation Clerk immediately.

PERMISSION TO LEAVE STATE/COUNTRY: Permission to leave the state/country must be requested one (1) week in advance. You may be required to provide documentation. You are required to comply with any testing requirements while you are away from this jurisdiction. You are responsible for providing documentation of out of town testing to probation in order to excuse any missed test.

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP TRACK OF ALL DEADLINES & DATES

Agency Contact Numbers

Pam’s Place
313-894-8088

Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center (Men)
888-802-7472
810-392-2167

Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center (Women)
810-987-1258

Salvation Army – Harbor Light
586-954-1838

Smart Start
888-234-0198

TAP Testing
586-281-0150

Time Out Counseling (Shelby Twp)
586-997-4100

Time Out Counseling (Warren)
586-574-2601

Probation Officers

Scott Strickler
Probation Officer
586-569-7867
fax: 586-569-7899