Court Watching: James Chapman gets probation for unlicensed dog in Van Buren Township

James Forrest Chapman, 57, of Van Buren Township, pled guilty to having an unlicensed dog and was put on six months of non-reporting probation.
As part of the plea deal he has to get shots and a license for his dog Diesel and present documentation to the 34th District Court probation department by July 11. He also has to find a new home for the dog. The dog was to remain in the Romulus Animal Shelter until it is licensed and has a new place to stay OKed by the court.
This all was decided by 34th District Court Judge Brian A. Oakley during a court session on June 27.
Judge Oakley will review Chapman’s progress on the sentence during an 11 a.m., July 11 court session, when Chapman was directed to bring in the prospective new owner of the dog.
As part of the probation, Chapman was ordered not to purchase, possess, or consume products containing alcohol, poppy seeds, or controlled substances without the judge’s approval, with random tests as directed by the probation department.
Upon notification of testing, he may not consume excessive amounts of liquids.
He also was advised that any form of disrespect to court staff is a direct violation of his probation.
The offense occurred at 11:02 a.m., May 16, when Van Buren Township police were called by his roommate with a report of a dog bite and Chapman fled with the dog in a truck he was unlicensed to drive.
Probation in the dog license sentence continues until Dec. 27, 2017.
Chapman currently is on probation in a 2015 stalking case to which he pled no contest under a plea deal. Circuit Court Judge Margaret Van Houten is reportedly reviewing a new violation of probation charge there due to his guilty plea on the dog license case. Balance due at circuit court on that case is $1,688.
Judge Oakley levied no court fines or fees for Chapman in the dog license case.