By Attorney James Czarnecki|Czarnecki & Taylor PLLC|NOV 4, 2022
Michigan’s HYTA law is designed to provide individuals who commit offenses an opportunity to keep a conviction off of their criminal history. HYTA helps protect their futures by allowing them to avoid a conviction. In addition, it allows young people to be eligible for special educational and employment opportunities that may not be available otherwise because of a conviction.
By avoiding a conviction, those who are eligible under this law can still live productive lives without the difficult consequences that often follow from a criminal record. Overall, Michigan’s HYTA law offers many benefits for young people who have made mistakes and provides them with the opportunity to overcome these mistakes, build better futures for themselves, and contribute more effectively as members of society.
What is the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act, also known as HYTA?
Michigan’s HYTA law, MCL 762.11, is a Michigan statute that allows youthful offenders to avoid a conviction on their criminal history for crimes they committed. After Michigan’s Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (also known as Michigan’s HYTA Law) is invoked, it gives judges discretion over what punishment the Michigan youth may receive – typically probation, fines and costs, restitution and/or community service.
In general, however, it is more likely for a Michigan judge to sentence an eligible offender who invokes the Michigan HYTA law to a term of probation rather than incarceration. Judges may also order defendants to community service and alcohol or drug abuse programs. Michigan law requires that the judge impose certain conditions of probation intended to provide for rehabilitation.
Continue reading “What are the benefits of Michigan’s HYTA law-Holmes Youthful Trainee Act?”
