By Beth Florkowski of Fausone & Grysko, PLC posted in Criminal Law on Monday, August 6, 2018.

Mark J. Mandell

In the Plymouth, Canton, and Northville area alone, there are over 1,200 alcohol and drug-related arrests per year. The majority of these offenses are as a result of drunk driving. Depending on the severity of the offense, alternatives to jail time are available. In an effort to combat the issue in a productive way, the 35th District Court of Plymouth offers a Sobriety Court program for persons convicted of a drinking and driving offense. This program is intensive, involving supervision from a Sobriety Court Probation Officer, mandatory treatment, random testing, community service, education programs, and frequent appearances in front of a District Court Judge. Below is a further breakdown of the different parts of the program. Moving forward to another path involves completing the prior path. Path One is the base of the program.

Program Eligibility

Any individual that has no assaultive offense convictions and is a first time offender with a BAC of .20 or higher is eligible for the Sobriety Court program.

Paths of the Program

   Path One (minimum 9 weeks):

• Meet with Probation Officer weekly
• Attend Sobriety Court Review Hearing weekly
•  Attend substance abuse counseling as directed
• Submit to random drug and alcohol testing as directed by probation officer/ treatment provider
• Attend 12 step meetings and provide written verification as directed
• Obtain a sponsor and contact sponsor as directed

   Path Two (minimum 9 weeks):

• Meet with probation officer twice a month
• Attend Sobriety Court Review hearings monthly
• Attend substance abuse counseling as directed
• Submit to random drug and alcohol testing as directed by probation officer/ treatment provider
• Attend 12 step meetings and provide written verification as directed
• Continue to contact sponsor at least once a week or as directed
• Complete a minimum of 40 hours of community service with written proof of completion in order to be transferred to Path 3

   Path Three (minimum 9 weeks):

• ·Meet with Probation Officer one time per month
• Attend Sobriety Court Hearings monthly
• Attend substance abuse counseling as directed
• Submit to random drug and alcohol testing as directed by probation officer/ treatment provider
• Attend 12 step meetings and provide written verification as directed
• Continue to contact sponsor at least once a week for as directed
• Complete a minimum of 40 hours of community service

   Path Four:

• Meet with Probation Officer monthly
• Attend substance abuse counseling as directed
• Submit to random drug and alcohol testing as directed by probation officer/ treatment provider
• Attend 12 step meetings and provide written verification as directed
• Continue to contact sponsor at least once a week
• Complete remaining hours of community service

Program Objectives

The comprehensive objectives at the end of this program are to protect public safety by reducing alcohol-related recidivism, reduce jail costs associated with repeat offenders, and return participants to the community as a more productive, sober members of society.

Meet Mark Mandell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6ZWD–1zAo&feature=youtu.be

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One of the most important steps to avoiding legal trouble is education on the law. Please visit our website to learn more about the applicable laws and how the team at Fausone & Grysko, PLC can help. If you are facing criminal charges, Mark Mandell is an experienced Metro Detroit defense attorney and a former prosecutor. Call Fausone & Grysko, PLC today at  248-380-0000, and find out how Mark and our other defense attorneys can help you.