For those arrested, jail may become the place they never want to return to. And it's only natural for them to feel that way given the poor conditions in most jails. Dangerous and dirty conditions, however, are not the only things that may prompt the court to send those convicted of a crime anywhere but jail.
Correctional institutions are often overcrowded. Increasingly, it's extremely expensive to house inmates in prisons. Some states have given up on dealing with prisons and farmed the work out to various correctional businesses that run them at a cost. When a crime is minor and the defendant has little to no criminal record, the prosecutor's office might present a list of punishments that don't include incarceration. Read on and find out what those convicted could end up doing besides ending up in jail.
Special Court Programs
Particularly in larger cities, defendants could have an opportunity to participate in a special program. These programs vary but some allow for suspended sentences for those who successfully complete the requirements. That means the charges are dropped at the end of the program. Some are aimed at certain populations, such as first-time offenders, pregnant moms-to-be, young drug users, and many other groups.
The program uses mentors and tight monitoring to keep defendants in line and the rules are numerous. Commonly, participants in these special programs should expect to:
- Report to the judge regularly.
- Be randomly tested for substances.
- Be employed or taking classes.
Work Opportunities
In some cases, defendants can choose to serve time by doing work for the county. They might be enlisted to do maintenance work, work on farms, clean county buildings, and more. This work usually takes place on weekends so that the defendant can keep their regular job. No pay is provided to defendants for this type of work and it often shows up on their records as time served.
Community Service
Although similar to work opportunities, this form of alternative sentencing involves performing a certain number of hours of "volunteer" work, mostly with charities. For example, a defendant might be sentenced to work at a homeless shelter for several hours a week. Picking up trash is another common task assigned to defendants. The idea is to instill in the defendant a sense of appreciation for their own situation while promoting empathy at the same time. Some continue to perform these volunteer duties long after their case is closed.
None of the above incarceration alternatives are automatic. In most cases, the programs are limited to only a few at a time. That is why those charged with crimes must speak to their criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible about these programs. For more information, contact a firm like Tri Cities Law Group.
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