A few years ago, possibly 4 or 5, a friend was placed in jail for a DUI. After going to court they were given probation. The county where this took place is 50+ miles north of where my friend lives and this is where they expected my friend to follow through on the community service. Unfortunately my friend no longer had a car or a license, and after making payments each month and no longer receiving any type of contact from case workers my friend assumed the probation was over and the ciommunity service had been canceled. I'd like to point out that this was my friends 2nd DUI and my friend is in their 60's and between the time of the incident and now underwent cancer treatment for over a year.
My friend is receiving social security payments to make the mortgage and pay all necessary bills. Recently my friend received a letter stating that no more payments will be made by Social security because of an apparent warrant that is out on their arrest because of the incident that occured over 5 years ago and that all past payments must be paid back to Social security. My friend does not work due to the disability of a previous case of cancer which left them partially deaf in one ear and causing their balance to be a bit off. My friend acquired the help of a free lawyer but does not seem to get any updates from him.
I myself called the probate office in the county where the incident first oocured. I was told contact was made with the lawyer and that what i'm being told is the same thing the lawyer was told. Because of the length of time that has passed since the initial incident and because the probate office mailed out latters to my friend informing them of their violation and not receiving a response from my friend the only option my friend has is to turn himself in. At that time they would sit in jail awaiting a trial. I am very close to this person and help them out in any way I can although I myself am also over 50 miles away. I am very familiar with the incident and aware of what happened and was told by my friend that the letters were never received. I know my friend and know they would never allow this to happen, but now it has and i'm afraid they may have to go to jail. Is it true there are no other possible options besides going to jail? How long would they have to stay in jail? My friend does not want to go to jail and did not intend on violating probation and has no way of paying the bills if sitting in jail, especially if it is for a long period of time. I want to help but i'm being told there is nothing that can be done and my friend must go to jail. I need advice. My friend is elderly and is not a bad person but the court system for this county is not bending for anyone. Paris Hilton got off easier. Why should my friend have to suffer and what can I do if anything to keep this from happening?

