Alternative Jail Penalties

If a person is convicted of a crime, they may be sentenced with substantial financial penalties as well as significant jail sentences. However, these jail sentences are not always a part of mandatory sentencing after a criminal conviction and may be replaced by alternative sentences. If a defendant can argue for leniency or has worked through the process of securing a favorable plea bargain with the prosecution, he or she may be able to avoid jail time for less damaging sentencing alternatives.

What Alternatives to Jail Are Available after a Criminal Conviction?

Depending on the case, different alternative sentencing options may be on available after a person has been charged with a crime. If an offender has an otherwise clean record, more of these options may be taken seriously by the court as a way to keep the defendant out of the prison system. These alternatives can include the following:

• House arrest
• Restitution for the victimized party
• Community service
• Probation
• Educational programs
• Drug and alcohol abuse programs
• Following DUI convictions, ignition interlock systems

In some cases, defendants may be offered the opportunity to go through an optional sentencing program known as a diversion program, which can offer some powerful benefits while increasing the defendant’s responsibilities. If this option is available, a defendant may want to discuss how to proceed with their criminal defense lawyer.

Contact Us

If you’re facing criminal charges, you should know what to expect from your case. Having a basic understanding of how sentencing works and what options may be used by the courts can be a powerful tool for a defendant. As such, get the information you need after being charged with a crime in Cape Cod by calling attorney James Powderly at 508-343-0676.