Pursuant to a plea bargain, defendant pleaded nolo contendere to a charge of arson of a dwelling house, MCL 750.72; MSA 28.267, in exchange for dismissal of a charge of malicious destruction of police property, MCL 750.377b; MSA 28.609(2). The plea bargain included a sentencing agreement whereby the parties agreed that defendant would be sentenced to five years’ probation with the condition that he participate in psychiatric counseling and substance abuse treatment. The
Defendant first argues that the trial court erred in refusing to allow him to withdraw his plea because there was no factual basis for the plea. However, defendant’s motion to withdraw his plea was untimely under both MCR 6.311(A) and MCR 7.208(B)(1). Therefore, this issue is not preserved for our review.
People v Beasley,
Defendant also argues that the trial court erred in placing additional conditions on his probation that were not included in the plea agreement without allowing him an opportunity to withdraw his plea. Therefore, defendant argues, he is entitled to specific performance of the agreement or an opportunity to withdraw his plea. We disagree.
When a prosecutor and a defendant agree to a specific sentence disposition in exchange for a guilty plea, the trial court can either accept or reject it or defer action until the court has had an opportunity to consider the presentence report.
People v Killebrew,
In this case, the plea bargain included a sentencing agreement that defendant would receive five years’ probation with the condition that he participate in psychiatric counseling and substance abuse treatment. The court conditionally accepted the plea as requested by the prosecution because of the absence of the victims. At sentencing, the court sentenced defendant in accordance with the agreement, but placed additional conditions upon his probation. These conditions were that he (1) seek and maintain employment, (2) obtain a ged, (3) pay his court-appointed attorney’s fees, (4) pay supervision costs of $16.50 a month or perform community service, and (5) submit to periodic urinalysis. Some of these conditions were recommended in the presentence report and are conditions to which defendant had no objection at sentencing.
A sentence of probation is an alternative to confining a defendant in jail or prison and is granted as a matter of grace in lieu of incarceration.
People v Greenlee,
The sentencing court may also "impose other lawful conditions of probation as the circumstances of the case require or warrant, or as in its judgment are proper,” MCL 771.3(4); MSA 28.1133(4). This right includes the imposition of costs incurred in prosecuting the defendant or providing legal assistance to the defendant.
Id.
In setting additional conditions, a sentencing court must be guided by factors that are lawfully and logically related to the defendant’s rehabilitation.
People v Peters,
An order of probation is "at all times alterable and amendable, both in form and in substance, in the court’s discretion.” MCL 771.2(2); MSA 28.1132(2). Moreover, there is no requirement that the defendant be given notice or an opportunity to be heard before an amendment.
People v Kendall,
Because of these unique features of probation, we believe that
Schluter
is distinguishable. Because probation is a matter of grace in lieu of a prison sentence aimed, in part, at rehabilitation and is at all times alterable and amendable, we believe that a sentencing court may place conditions on a defendant’s probation regardless of
Affirmed.
