Bond & Bond Conditions in Grand Traverse County

At True North Legal Group, we help good people when bad things happen in Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties. Most of our clients are first-time defendants facing the criminal justice system for the first time. If that’s you, bond is likely the first court decision shaping your daily life—where you can go, who you can see, whether you must test, and how closely you have to check in. This guide explains how bond and bond conditions usually work in the 86th District Court and 13th Circuit Court for Grand Traverse County cases, what first-time defendants commonly experience, and how we approach these issues so you can stay compliant and keep your case on track.

We’re a boutique, selective-docket defense practice dedicated to the 86th District Court and 13th Circuit Court that serve Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties. We prepare every case as if it may go to trial. We are not a high-volume plea mill. That mindset matters even at the bond stage: conditions should support your ability to meet with counsel, review discovery, and participate fully in your defense, not quietly undermine it.

Where Bond Decisions Happen (and Why It Matters)

Start in the 86th District Court (Traverse City).
For Grand Traverse County cases, bond is typically set at your arraignment in the 86th District Court. This can happen after an arrest or once charges issue. The judge explains the charge, ensures you understand your rights, takes an initial plea (often “not guilty”), and then addresses bond—the rules that apply while your case is pending. Bond can be a personal recognizance bond (no money posted) or involve a cash component. More often, the real burden comes from bond conditions: testing, no-contact orders, travel limits, or supervision.

What carries forward into the 13th Circuit Court.
If your case is a felony and moves past the probable-cause conference and preliminary examination, it’s “bound over” to the 13th Circuit Court in Traverse City. Your case gets a new schedule and case number, but most initial bond conditions follow you unless they’re modified. In other words, what happens in district court does not vanish at bind-over—compliance and documentation continue to matter.

Two courts, different functions.

86th District Court: Initial arraignment, bond, bond conditions, early felony steps.
13th Circuit Court: Felony motion practice, plea discussions, jury trial, sentencing—and, when appropriate, review or modification of bond conditions after bind-over.

Step-by-Step: How Bond Fits into the Felony Path

1) Arrest or Charging Decision

Some cases begin with an arrest; others start with a summons or notice. Either way, first-time defendants often feel shocked by how fast everything becomes formal. Breathe. Early choices are about structure, not final guilt or innocence.

2) Arraignment in the 86th District Court

This is where bond and conditions are set. The court balances the seriousness of the allegations, history (if any), ties to Traverse City and the broader Grand Traverse community, and risks the court must address: appearance in court and public safety. The result is a bond order you must follow exactly.

3) Living Under Bond Conditions

Expect to keep paperwork with you, read it line by line, and set calendar reminders. Many accidental violations happen because someone only “heard” the highlights in court and didn’t study the page that matters.

4) Probable-Cause Conference and Preliminary Examination

While those hearings are about whether a felony case should continue, your bond conditions remain in effect. In some situations, a record of compliance can support a measured request for modification.

5) Bind-Over to the 13th Circuit Court

Once in circuit court, your case cadence changes: motion deadlines, final conferences, and (if needed) a trial term. Bond still governs your daily life unless the court modifies it.

Common Bond Conditions in Grand Traverse County

No-Contact Orders.
In cases involving a person identified as a protected party, you may be ordered to avoid all contact—phone, text, social media, indirect messaging through others, and even being in the same place. First-time defendants sometimes assume “a quick apology” is harmless. It isn’t. Even well-intended contact can be reported as a violation.

Alcohol and Drug Testing.
Testing can be random, scheduled, or continuous (for example, a tether or device). The goal is compliance, not surprise. Calendar the testing window, set alarms, and understand where and how to report. If you take prescribed medication, keep documentation organized and accessible.

Travel Limits.
Courts often restrict travel outside Grand Traverse County, sometimes outside Michigan, or require permission before travel. This is not personal; it’s how the court ensures you remain available for hearings. If travel is important—to see family during the holidays, attend work training, or handle caregiving—ask counsel about a structured request with specifics.

Check-Ins and Supervision.
You may be required to check in with a monitoring agency or appear for compliance reviews. Missed check-ins become avoidable violations. Build them into your routine.

Curfew or Location-Based Rules.
In some situations, curfews or area exclusions apply. If you work late or have night shifts in Traverse City, you may need a documented schedule to show the court your hours and routes.

Firearms and Weapons Restrictions.
Bond orders often prohibit possession of firearms or dangerous weapons during the case. When in doubt, ask counsel before assuming an item is allowed.

Other Condition-Specific Rules.
This can include evaluations, treatment intake, or no “alcohol establishments.” Be precise about what the words mean—if the order says “no bars,” that usually includes bar areas within restaurants

December Realities: Holidays, Travel, and Testing

Plan early for holiday travel.
If you hope to travel in December, do not wait until the week of your trip to request permission. A thoughtful motion or stipulation (when appropriate) includes dates, destinations, lodging, itinerary, and a plan for continued compliance. Courts are more receptive to travel that looks predictable and responsible.

Testing doesn’t pause for the holidays.
Testing programs may have adjusted hours. Keep backup plans and contact numbers, and document closures with photos or screenshots if a site is unexpectedly unavailable. If testing is remote, confirm how holiday schedules affect timing or reporting windows.

Family gatherings and no-contact orders.
If a protected party will attend the same family event, you cannot go. “Accidental” proximity at a holiday gathering can still be a violation. Coordinate with family in advance so you’re not forced into a last-minute, high-risk decision.

Weather and transportation.
Northern Michigan winters are real. For bond purposes, “the roads were bad” does not automatically excuse a missed test or check-in. Build margin into your travel time, and keep proof (road advisories, photos) if weather genuinely interferes.

Modifying Bond: When and How to Ask

Start with compliance.
Judges in the 86th District Court and 13th Circuit Court generally want evidence that you can follow the rules before they relax them. A clean record of testing, punctual hearings, and on-time check-ins makes a stronger case than words alone.

Ask for specific, narrow relief.
“Let me do anything I want” is not persuasive. “I’m requesting permission to travel from December 22–26 to visit immediate family in-state, with testing planned at [location], and will provide proof on return” is a different kind of request. Specific dates, addresses, travel plans, and compliance details show respect for the court’s concerns.

Explain the why—briefly.
Work training, essential family needs, or pre-planned holidays are easier to evaluate than vague “vacation.” Provide documentation: employer letters, itineraries, or proof of tickets.

Understand the venues.

Pre–bind-over (86th District Court): Modification requests are filed there.
Post–bind-over (13th Circuit Court): Requests move to circuit court.
In either court, you should expect that results vary; no responsible lawyer will promise a change.

Avoid back-door changes.
If your order says “no alcohol,” that applies even if a counselor says occasional use is fine. The court’s written order controls. Changes must be made by the court, on the record.

What Counts as a Violation (and Why Mistakes Still Hurt)

Missing a single test window.
Even if you test clean the next day, missing a required window can be logged as a violation. Courts care about reliability, not just results.

Indirect contact.
Sending a message through a friend or commenting on a mutual social media post can be treated as contact. Silence is often the safest path unless the court modifies the order.

“I thought that was okay.”
Bond orders are short, but they’re strict. When you’re unsure, do not guess. Ask counsel to read the order with you and clarify gray areas.

Why violations matter.
A violation can trigger tighter conditions, new restrictions, or, in serious cases, custody. It can also affect plea discussions and how your case is perceived when it reaches the 13th Circuit Court. First-time defendants sometimes think a clean record guarantees leniency; it doesn’t. Consistent compliance, not assumptions, keeps options open.

How Bond Interacts with What’s at Stake in Grand Traverse County

Employment and scheduling.
Testing windows and check-ins must fit your workday. Gather your schedule, bring employer letters if needed, and build a weekly plan so bond requirements don’t cause unforced errors.

Professional licenses (general).
If you hold a professional or commercial license, you may worry about reporting and work travel. We discuss these concerns in general terms and avoid board-specific advice in public content. The key is to flag conflicts early and plan around them.

Family obligations.
Parenting-time exchanges, school pickups in Traverse City, and holiday traditions may conflict with testing or curfew. Document your routine and ask for narrow, structured accommodations when appropriate.

Reputation and community.
Grand Traverse County is close-knit. People fear being defined by a single event. Your bond compliance is one of the first public signals that you’re serious, steady, and respectful of the process.

Why Trial-Readiness Still Matters at the Bond Stage

Our perspective is simple: in our experience, local prosecutors often overcharge, and when cases are forced toward trial, the evidence can look very different than it does in a report. We prepare every case as if it may go to trial. Even though bond is “pretrial housekeeping,” those conditions directly affect your ability to defend the case.

Trial-readiness shapes better bond decisions by:

Ensuring conditions allow timely meetings, evidence review, and expert consultations if needed.
Avoiding “compliance traps” that interfere with preparing for a jury trial.
Creating leverage in plea discussions because we know what the proof actually shows.
Keeping your life stable enough—work, family, transportation—that you can see the case clearly and make informed decisions.

We are not a high-volume plea mill. Our docket is selective by design so we can attend to details that matter in the 86th District Court and 13th Circuit Court.

How True North Legal Group Helps First-Time Defendants Navigate Bond

1) Orientation in Plain English.
We walk through the bond order line by line so nothing is fuzzy. We translate legal terms, explain each condition’s purpose, and map the next two weeks—testing, check-ins, and any hearings.

2) A Written Compliance Plan.
Together we build a simple, calendar-based plan: testing windows, alarms, transportation buffers (especially in winter), and a contact protocol if the testing site changes hours. The plan is yours to keep and update.

3) Documentation and Proof.
We encourage you to keep a small “bond folder”—digital or paper—with your order, testing receipts, travel permissions, and work letters. If a question arises, you have the proof.

4) Proactive Problem-Solving.
When a condition is unworkable—shift work, caregiving, travel for employment—we gather specifics and, when appropriate, seek a narrowly tailored modification. We set realistic expectations and avoid overpromising.

5) Consistent Communication.
You should never wonder what’s next. We set check-ins around key dates (pre-trial conference, preliminary exam, motion deadlines) and adjust your compliance plan as the case moves from the 86th to the 13th.

6) Trial-Forward Preparation.
From day one, we treat bond as part of case building. We make sure conditions don’t undermine access to evidence, witnesses, or evaluations that could matter later in circuit court. Preparation creates options.

Questions to Ask Any Lawyer Here (Bond-Focused)

How quickly can you review my bond order with me and make a written plan I can follow?
When do you seek bond modifications in the 86th District Court, and when do you wait until the 13th Circuit Court?
What documentation helps most when asking to travel or adjust testing during the holidays?
How will you coordinate my testing schedule with my work hours in Traverse City?
If there’s a no-contact order, how do you help me avoid accidental violations at shared family or community events?
What’s your approach if a single missed test occurs because of a site closure or weather?
How do you make sure my bond conditions don’t block trial preparation—meetings, evidence review, or expert consultations?
Do you prepare every case as if it may go to trial, and what does that look like in the first 30 days?
How often do you take cases to trial rather than assuming a plea agreement will happen?
How will you keep me updated between the 86th District Court settings and the 13th Circuit Court schedule after bind-over?

Immediate Next Steps (General, Not Case-Specific Advice)

Read your bond order—every line. Keep a copy in your wallet or phone. Highlight anything you must do weekly.
Calendar everything. Put testing windows, check-ins, and court dates on a shared calendar with alerts.
Build margin. During busy travel times, leave early for testing and hearings. Have a backup plan if your usual route is closed.
Do not improvise contact. If there’s a no-contact order, do not message “just to sort things out.” Ask counsel about lawful options.
Prepare a travel packet. If travel may be necessary, gather an itinerary, addresses, and proof of purpose now.
Keep proof. Save testing receipts, screenshots of closures, and any written approvals.
Avoid public discussion. Social media posts and casual comments can complicate your case and your bond.

Conclusion

Bond and bond conditions are the framework of your life while a case moves from the 86th District Court to the 13th Circuit Court in Grand Traverse County. For first-time defendants, the rules can feel overwhelming at first, especially around the holidays when travel and family plans collide with testing and no-contact orders. You are not alone. With a clear plan, steady communication, and trial-forward preparation, you can comply, protect your options, and keep your life as stable as possible while the case proceeds.

At True North Legal Group, we help good people who made a bad decision—or who are facing an unexpected accusation—navigate this process without panic. We prepare every case as if it may go to trial, and we are not a high-volume plea mill. In our experience, local prosecutors often overcharge, and when a case is pushed toward trial, the evidence can look different than it did on paper. That’s one more reason to make sure your bond conditions support, rather than hinder, a strong defense.

If you’re facing charges in the 86th District Court or 13th Circuit Court in Grand Traverse or Leelanau County, contact True North Legal Group to schedule a confidential strategy session.

Choose a time that works for you on our online calendar: https://calendly.com/tnlg/30min, or call our office at (231) 800-8654 to speak with us directly.