Muskegon Co. drug addicts who commit serious crimes to get special court help

mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2018/11/recovery_court_expansion_to_he.html

Vanderhyde said the judge behind the HOPE program recently visited Muskegon because the county has one of the most robust Swift & Sure Sanctions programs in the state. The judge advised Vanderhyde to expand the probation system if drugs are the cause for repeat violations.
“If they’re not successful (in regular probation or Swift & Sure), it’s likely because they have a drug addiction,” Vanderhyde said. “And sure enough, that’s what we found.”
Since the 14th Circuit Court adopted the Swift & Sure Sanctions model in 2015, Vanderhyde said at least seven probationers died from drug overdoses while working through the system.

Shiawassee Co. judge places probation violator in Swift and Sure program

argus-press.com/news/news_local/article_87bbbc90-d691-5bc2-bc35-9e319bf3d722.html

Quinn apologized before being sentenced. “I apologize to you [Judge Stewart], and to the court for violating probation.”
“When DOC discovered you,” Stewart said, “What happened was that you were on a work detail in boot camp and you were hiding in a bush. They had thought that you were trying to escape, right?
“Your probation agent concludes that you weren’t trying to escape, that you were too lazy to try to escape. You just didn’t want to work. That’s probably true, isn’t it? As a result, you were discharged from the program and you were back here,” Stewart said. “Now, if we put you in Swift and Sure, I mean, that’s a tough program. Monday morning at 8 a.m. you’re to be at (Swift and Sure office), waiting to get in.”

Shiawassee Co. judge sends man to prison for probation violations

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Lostracco said, “you were placed in the Swift and Sure program. I’m sure that Judge Stewart went over the terms of that with you at great length. Obviously, it was to give you some guidance and motivation to make it through successfully, and you wouldn’t have to be facing this day, where there is now a recommendation from the prosecution for incarceration…

Cass Co. man gets back-to-back prison sentences

leaderpub.com/2018/12/24/local-man-gets-back-to-back-prison-sentences-in-berrien-cass

Cass Circuit Judge Mark Herman noted that Roden had been given a chance in 2016 to take part in drug treatment court through the Swift & Sure probation program.
“But you went back and relapsed,” he said. “We gave you the tools but when the urge came to take drugs, you didn’t take advantage of them. … You’re 37 years old, and old enough to understand the consequences but also young enough to get out of prison and enjoy the rest of your life.”
Roden apologized for messing up the opportunity he had been given to stay out of prison.
“This is a sad day for Mr. Roden,” defense attorney Greg Feldman said. “He was in Swift & Sure. Unfortunately it didn’t stick. I have hope for him. He will come out young enough to enjoy a drug free life.”

Cass. Co. man revoked for tampering with monitoring device

leaderpub.com/2019/01/22/break-in-results-in-probation

In a probation violation sentence, a Cassopolis man had his probation revoked and was sentenced to jail.
John Rolland Smith, Jr., 35, of Marcellus Highway in Cassopolis, pleaded guilty to violating his probation from an October conviction for tampering with an electronic device as a habitual offender. He had his probation revoke and was ordered to serve 365 days in jail. He has credit for 224 days already served.
Smith violated his Swift & Sure probation by exhibiting threatening and intimidating behavior. His past record includes prison sentences for resisting and obstructing police and assault with a dangerous weapon.
Chief Assistant Prosecutor Tiffiny Vohwinkle said she felt Smith should be sent back to prison. “He’s not listening to people and following through,” she said. “Now he’s threatening others.”
Feldman said Smith is finally ready to deal with “his demons” including his substance abuse. He called Smith an intimidating figure physically and said he needs to learn how to better deal with his anger.