Probation Department

Last updated: 9/08/23

AS OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2023, THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT HAS RETURNED TO IN-PERSON REPORTING FOR MAJORITY OF PROBATIONERS. 

IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF A NEW PROBATION APPOINTMENT, OR HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND FORGOTTEN YOUR DATE,  YOU MAY CHECK ONLINE USING THE "CASE SEARCH" FUNCTION FROM THE HOME PAGE, OR CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT (586) 446-2565. 

Please note that information regarding NON-PUBLIC cases (i.e. guilty plea has been deferred under statute 7411, HYTA, 769.4a, etc) will NOT be discussed over the phone. You must appear in person with a photo I.D. to discuss non-public matters. 

The Probation Department is responsible for monitoring all probation cases originating from the Sterling Heights division of the 41-A District Court. It is located in the lower level of the 41A District Court Judicial Building on Dodge Park in Sterling Heights.

The Probation Department of the Shelby Division of the 41-A District Court, located at 24 Mile Road and Van Dyke in Shelby Township, may be reached at (586) 739-7325, prompt #8. 

Services provided by the Probation Department include: monitoring defendants ordered to reporting and non-reporting probation; community service placement and follow-up; conducting pre-sentence investigations, including substance abuse and domestic violence evaluations; appearances at court hearings; and providing sentencing recommendations.

The primary function of the Probation Officer is to ensure that the probationer is in compliance with the court order. If probation is ordered, it typically is accompanied by conditions, fines and costs. In addition to any specific terms of probation, standard terms include: 

  1. Do not violate any law of any unit of government. Any arrest/ticket for any criminal activity while on probation may result in a violation hearing; no conviction required. 
  2. Obtain permission to travel outside the state from the probation officer or Court.
  3. Report as instructed by the Court.  
  4. Notify the probation officer of any change in address or employment status.

Specific conditions of probation may be addressed with the Probation Officer at the time of your report. 

Commonly Requested PROBATION Forms

Reporting to Probation

The Probation Department is located in the lower level of the courthouse on Dodge Park Road. The department is open from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm, and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. 

Upon arrival, you must check in with the Probation Department clerk. You will be directed to complete the Monthly Report Form, hand it in at the counter, and be seated in the lobby. You will be seen as close to your appointment time as possible, and receive your next report before you leave. Please check the court’s website regarding any scheduling changes in the event of inclement weather, holidays, etc. 

Appropriate attire is required at all times within the courthouse. Probationers not dressed appropriately will not be permitted to report and will be treated as a no-show. Inappropriate attire includes: clothing that displays an excessive amount of skin, gang- related clothing, bathing suits, half-tops, cut-offs, and mini-skirts.

FAILURE TO REPORT: Failure to report for 60 days may result in a probation violation hearing. It is your responsibility to make every effort to appear for your appointment. If you have an emergency, you must provide documentation to your probation officer.

If you have other questions, please contact the department via email. A Probation Department Clerk may be reached at (586) 446-2565 with general information questions. Information regarding NON-PUBLIC cases will NOT be discussed over the phone. You must appear in person with a photo I.D. to discuss non-public matters. 

See the page Virtual Reporting for more information about times and dates for reporting via Zoom.

Adjournments

It is your responsibility to make every effort to appear for your appointment. Appointments are set far enough in advance to secure childcare, request time off of work, and locate transportation. 

If you have forgotten your report day, please refer to the court’s website or call the office at (586) 446-2565.  Information regarding NON-PUBLIC cases will NOT be discussed over the phone. You must appear in person with a photo I.D. to discuss non-public matters. 

If you have an emergency, you must provide documentation to your probation officer.

If you are requesting an adjournment for a COURT DATE, you may complete this form, a Stipulation and Order for Adjournment and submit it to the Court. The Probation Department will need to review and sign the matter. 

Presentence Reports & Interviews

The Probation Department conducts evaluation and presentence reports to assist the judge in sentencing recommendations. Generally, reports are completed within one to two weeks. Please see the page, Presentence Reports and Assessments, for more information and links to commonly requested documents.  

Online Support Groups

If you are in need of a support group meeting but are trying to avoid crowds or lack transportation: 

Treatment Court

The 41-A District Court is excited to offer a Sobriety Court Program to second or subsequent OWI offenses since 2022. Our program has a capacity of twenty people. Please see the Treatment Court site for more information. 

Probationers interested in a treatment court must complete a clinical diagnostic substance use disorder evaluation at their own costs prior to acceptance. Information can be obtained by contacting Probation at 586-446-2565. 

Traveling While Under Probation Supervision

Travel requests should be made at least SEVEN (7) DAYS prior to your planned departure date. 

Probation Travel Request Form may be printed and submitted via mail, email as an attachment, fax, or in-person at the front counter of the Probation Department (Monday-Friday)

Probation is a privilege, as is traveling while under the supervision of the Court. Probation will not excuse any other conditions of your probation while you are traveling; you are required to comply with all conditions, including testing. It is recommended that if you cannot comply with probation requirements while you travel, that you save your travel for when you have completed your probation term. If your Judge permits travel and alternative testing, below are some suggestions to maintain your compliance. It is recommended that you speak with your Probation Officer at your regularly scheduled meeting regarding your specific circumstances.

  1. Contact the jurisdiction to which you are traveling and make arrangements ahead of time for testing. It is recommended that you speak with the actual facility in advance of your travel, to ensure that you have all proper documents and to make sure they can accommodate all testing rules as set by your sentencing judge.
  2. If you are ONLY alcohol testing, you may request a device (i.e. portable breathalyzer or tether) to use in place of testing while you travel.
  3. If you are traveling for FOUR (4) DAYS or LESS, you may participate in "bookend testing," where you submit to a voluntary test at your designated facility before you leave to establish a baseline, and test at the next available test time immediately upon your return (using an ETG-Alcohol test and/or minimum Eight Panel drug screen depending on your specific order). 

Community Service Work Hours

Community service work may be ordered as a condition of probation; as an alternative to fines and costs; or as a condition of a deferred sentencing. Community service hours must be completed a non-profit organizations. Hours must be documented, and verification on agency letterhead must be provided to the Probation Department of the Court prior to the due date.

Agencies are pre-approved by the Probation Department, and lists are available below or in person from the Probation Department. 

If you would like to complete your community service hours at an agency not listed, you must first contact the Probation Department to obtain approval. You must provide: 

  • * The name and address of the agency
  • * The name of the site supervisor who will be monitoring your service work, and 
  • * The 501 (c) 3 number

Hours completed at an agency that does not have city approval may not be valid.

Community Service Work Agreement

Community Service Log Sheet

Community Service Work Sites - Macomb

Community Service Work Sites - Oakland

Community Service Work Sites - Wayne

Failure to complete your community service hours as directed will result in a notice of non-compliance to your Judge.

Remote Supervision

The 41-A District Court has computer-based monitoring available as a tool for low-risk offenders in lieu of traditional in-person reporting. In order to participate in a computer-based monitoring program, it must be ordered as a condition of reporting probation, non-reporting probation, or delayed sentencing. The Court may also utilize this type of reporting tool for pre-trial monitoring or for additional monitoring of reporting probationers. 

If you are ordered to virtual monitoring: 

  • CourtWorks (pre-trial / probation): http://courtworks.com  
  • Macomb Community Corrections (pre-trial monitoring only): (586) 307-9443 

If you have lost your information, you may email Officer Gadioli for information on how to regain entry to the system.