My question involves criminal law for the state of: Maryland
A friend of mine has been on his year-long probation for fifty weeks; he had been busted for drinking and driving. One of the conditions for his probation was that he could not drink. He (for whatever reason) casually mentioned to his PO that he occasionally drank with friends on the weekends. His PO told him it wouldn't be a problem, but my friend just recently got a letter in the mail informing him that he would have some kind of hearing in a few weeks. He was not issued a warning. He has a job and a house, and otherwise has not gotten in trouble (before or after the drunk driving incident), and he's concerned that he'll lose it all.
How much trouble do you think he is in? Will the burden be on the state to prove that he's violated his probation, or on him to prove that he has not? Will it matter that he was only two weeks away from the probation being over? He's gone to AA for several months after initially being on probation, but hasn't since - would it be helpful for him to re-enroll, in it or similar classes/programs? Is there anything else he should be particularly aware of or should expect?
Thank you very much for reading. I look forward to reading any responses you may have.

