Oakland County, Michigan/Courts/District Courts/52nd District Court - Division 2/Probation/Sobriety Court

Sobriety Court

Since November 2004, the 52-2 District Court has operated the Sobriety Court Program, a specialized court program for high-risk drinking and driving offenders. This program promotes public safety and reduced recidivism by connecting the offender with therapeutic services to treat the underlying substance abuse problem which led to the criminal behavior. The program follows national standards for special-population courts, including the 10 Key Components of Drug Courts and the 10 Guiding Principles of DWI Courts. A fundamental difference from traditional case processing is that the Sobriety Court utilizes a collaborative team approach among the Judge, probation officer, treatment provider and defense counsel.

This post-adjudication program includes intense probation supervision, substance abuse treatment, frequent alcohol and drug testing and frequent judicial review. The program offers a highly structured and intensive setting which promotes ongoing sobriety, personal responsibility and productive citizenship.

The 52-2 District Court Sobriety Court is recognized by the State Court Administrative Office of the State of Michigan as a DWI/Sobriety Court. As such, participants with offense dates on/after January 1, 2011 may be eligible to participate in the Interlock Pilot Project, which grants restricted licensing to otherwise suspended individuals.

Persons eligible for the program must been the following criteria:

  1. A) Current drinking (or drugging) and driving offense (such as OWI, OWPD, OWAI, Child Endangerment, etc.) with a prior alcohol or drug conviction OR
    B) Current conviction of OWI with BAC .17 or Greater or Child Endangerment when a BAC of .15 or higher is present, without a prior alcohol or drug conviction.
  2. Residency or full time employment within the jurisdiction of the 52/2 District Court. Exceptions for out-of-jurisdiction residence are made for good cause.
  3. No history of serious violent offenses
  4. Cannot be on active probation or parole for a felony offense
  5. No outstanding matters with ICE or illegal alien status

The program will only consider accepting a transfer case, providing the individual meets all of the above criteria and is a resident within the 52-2 District Court jurisdiction.

Carol Bond functions as the Sobriety Court Coordinator and Sobriety Court Probation Officer. Questions regarding this program can be directed to Ms. Bond at 248-625-5957 ext. 253.