Alternatives To Jail And The Benefits Of These

Posted on: 26 August 2019

As you face criminal charges, one of the outcomes you could potentially face is jail time. If you really do not want to go to jail, your lawyer might be able to help you fight against this and end up with an alternative option instead. While this is not a guarantee, it is an option you could possibly use in your criminal case. Here are some of the alternatives to jail along with the benefits each option offers.

Work Release

The first alternative option you have is work release. Work release is a type of program designed to offer fairly severe consequences, yet it gives you the ability to work. Through this type of program, you must live at a facility full-time for a certain length of time. While you live there, you are able to leave to go to work. When your shift is complete, you must return to the work-release facility immediately. You are not allowed to stop anywhere, other than to get gas; however, you must get this approved. You may have to wear a monitor to track your location during this time, or a probation officer or police officer may stop into your work location unannounced to verify that you are there from time to time.

The benefit of this is that you can serve your jail sentence and still work. You will not have to worry about losing your job, but you will have to pay to live in the work-release facility. You may also have chores while you are there and responsibilities you must complete each day or week. You must also abide by all the rules of the facility.

House Arrest

The second option you have as an alternative to jail is house arrest, and you will also likely have to pay fees with this option. Additionally, you will be required to wear some type of monitor that tracks your location at all times. With house arrest, you may still be able to leave for work; however, you will not be able to go outdoors or even in your garage. You must stay in your house at all times unless you are at work or on your way to or from work.

This option offers a lot of great benefits, including the ability to keep your job and the ability to see your family each day. If you are able to get this approved, you will have a lot of rules to abide by during the time you complete your sentencing. For example, you will not be able to have any alcohol at your house at all. You will also not be able to have any guns or weapons in your home.

Inpatient Rehabilitation

The third option you could fight to get is inpatient rehabilitation, and this is an ideal option if you are addicted to drugs or alcohol. One of the best ways to break an addiction is to go and live at a rehabilitation center for any length of time. The longer you stay, the better chance you will have of actually breaking the addiction for good. If you can get this option approved, you would not be able to leave for work or anything else, but you would have constant supervision, counseling, and help that could make a huge difference for your addiction and your future.

Now that you understand the alternative options to jail, you will need to begin working on your case with an experienced criminal lawyer. The lawyer you hire might know the best strategies to use to help you accomplish this goal.

You can learn more about criminal law by talking to a law firm like Johnson Motinger Greenwood Law Firm.

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