Alternative Sentencing

A skilled criminal defense attorney should explore alternatives to county jail, such as:

1. Electronic Monitoring
2. Work Release or Work Furlough
3. City Jail
   
4. Alcohol or Drug Rehabilitation
5. Sober Living
   

An experienced criminal attorney fully explores each of these options, and bases his goals on the individual facts of each case.

Electronic Monitoring: Also known as "Home Detention” or “House Arrest,” requires an ankle bracelet that electronically monitors your whereabouts. Often the person is allowed to go to work or to school, but must otherwise remain at home.

Work Release: Allows you to work during the day at a location authorized by the Probation Department, but go home at night to sleep.

Work Furlough: You can work at your job during the day, but must return to jail after work each evening.

City Jail: At your own expense, you may rent a cell in a local or private jail--often a much more pleasant experience than county jail.

Alcohol or Drug Rehabilitation: An alcohol or drug rehabilitation facility is a much more attractive option than jail. A skilled criminal defense lawyer will know how to obtain this alternative and advise you when it is possible. Your defense attorney must convince the prosecution and the judge that this is a better solution than jail, and in cases of addiction, a superior alternative.

Sober Living: Alternative living facilities, often with two or more persons per room. Residents must maintain sobriety in order to remain in the house. Residents are usually required to attend a 12-Step meeting daily, participate in counseling groups, and perform chores. For those who have not responded to past attempts at treatment, a sober living facility may be beneficial. It is certainly better than jail, and may be used by a skilled criminal defense attorney to help a client avoid lengthy jail sentences.