Are There Alternatives to Going to Jail?
It is no doubt that possible jail time can be intimidating. In the state of Georgia alone, the rate of imprisonment has grown drastically in the last 40 years. According to PrisonPolicy.org, 102,000 people from Georgia are behind bars in state prisons, local jails, or federal prisons. As if that was not enough, Georgia has higher incarceration rates than the entire country.
I understand that being in a situation like this is difficult. Still, I am here to guide you through the process and help you understand that not all convictions will lead to time in jail.
Kyle H. Jarzmik Law is one of the top choices for your criminal defense in Atlanta, Georgia. I aim to be concise, practical, and realistic with all my clients so that they understand their alternatives to incarceration. Kyle H. Jarzmik Law proudly serves those in Fulton County, Cobb County, Dekalb County, Gwinnett County, Forsyth County, Douglas County, Paulding County, Coweta County, and Cherokee County.
Alternative Sentencing
Alternative sentencing means that after conviction, instead of being sentenced to time behind bars, you can serve your time in a different way. Courts often seek alternative sentencing options given the rise in jail and prison populations. With a criminal defense attorney, your case is presented and an agreement can be reached where your time can be served by a diversion program, house arrest, community service, or probation.
Please bear in mind that an individual’s criminal history plays a key role in eligibility for alternative sentencing. Individuals with prior crimes may not qualify for alternative sentencing.
Benefits
Not only do you benefit from staying out of jail or prison, but the state also benefits. It saves taxpayers’ money and prevents overcrowding in prisons and jails. The major benefit for you is that you are less likely to commit new crimes if you stay out of prison. Plus, you may receive needed treatment for various addictions or conditions, rather than sitting in a jail with no treatment or resources available to fix personal issues that may have contributed to the crime.
Diversion
Diversion is a type of program that qualifies certain individuals to participate in a rehabilitation or treatment program to help them become productive citizens. This program can be used for different types of cases, including shoplifting, traffic, and alcohol charges. In order to qualify for a diversion program, you must have no or a very limited criminal history.
House Arrest
House arrest refers to the type of alternative that limits your daily activity by preventing you from leaving your house, or solely for work purposes. An electronic monitoring device such as an ankle monitor would monitor you Typically, you have to pay the monitoring service, but it is better than jail if you can afford it and the Court allows it.
Community Service
Community service is usually ordered by a judge and requires you to perform various work activities around the community in Atlanta, Georgia. These types of service activities include working in nonprofit organizations or certain government agencies, and require that you get proof of the hours performed signed off by a supervisor in the organization for which performed the community service.
Probation
Probation allows you to avoid jail time under certain conditions. It can be supervised or unsupervised, but both types will have certain requirements that you must follow to avoid jail time. In the event that you don’t follow the conditions set forth by the court, you risk your probation being revoked, which could land you in jail.
Understand Your Options
At Kyle H. Jarzmik Law, I have the experience and knowledge to help you negotiate the terms of your sentencing. With me by your side, we can present your case effectively and explore the options that will help you avoid jail or prison time.
Don’t go at it alone. Call today for a criminal defense attorney that understands prosecutors and will fight for your rights to alternative jail time.