Alternative Sentencing in California
Treatment • Community Service • Electronic Monitoring • Probation
If you've been arrested, please fill out our Criminal Defense Intake Form to contact us about your case.
Alternatives to jail time are often an option for misdemeanor criminal convictions and many types of felony crimes, especially if it is a first offense. You need an attorney to advocate for you.
As a California criminal defense attorney with more than 31 years of experience, I've been able to negotiate alternative sentences even for clients convicted of a third or fourth offense in California drug court.
Depending upon your history with the law and the circumstances of your crime—such as drug addiction, alcohol abuse, a psychiatric condition, or extenuating circumstances in your physical environment—there may be a number of alternative sentencing options available for you.
A good criminal defense lawyer explores every option for minimizing the negative consequences of a criminal offense when that is in the best interests of his client. I work hard to represent your interests in court so you can move on with your life as quickly as possible.
Community Service
The courts maintain a list of community service options, including Cal-Trans work along our state's freeways or helping forest rangers in state parks or in tree farms.
Community Labor
This is similar to community service but the work is more demanding.
Drug, Alcohol or Gambling Addiction Treatment
Convicted for drunk driving? The consequences may be recovery…and a new lease on life. Many people find themselves facing criminal charges for drug offenses, burglary, theft, shoplifting, or embezzlement, because they have a drug addiction, gambling addiction, or alcohol dependency problem. There are treatment programs available that give people a chance for freedom both from jail and from their addiction. If you are serious about turning your life around, I will go to bat for you to advocate for a treatment program for you.
Probation
Supervised or unsupervised probation is typically imposed for all crimes in which the person is not sent to jail. Probation may run from 31 days to several years, during which time you will be required to comply with the specific terms of your probation. If you violate the terms of probation, you will be back in court, possibly facing jail time.
Electronic monitoring, drug and alcohol testing, halfway houses, restitution—there are often alternative sentencing options. Contact my office for a free initial consultation for a hard-hitting legal advocate in criminal court.
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Learn more about criminal law:
Criminal Law Center
Criminal Law FAQs
The California (CA) firm of Waldo A. Brown represents clients throughout Southern California.
