Alternative Sentencing

On September 20, famous heiress Paris Hilton pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor drug possession charges in Las Vegas. The Judge sentenced her to 12 months of probation, mandatory attendance at a substance abuse program, a fine of $2,000 and 200 hours of community service.

No matter the charge, avoiding jail time is a significant concern for many people that are arrested. Most criminal offenses including, but not limited to, DUI, theft and drug possession, have in their statute a range of penalties that held guide the Criminal Judge in giving a sentence. Most include a range of jail time that may be imposed depending on the specific circumstances of the case. Prosecution recommends a sentence to the Judge based on the facts and discussions with the defense attorney.

You do not have to be a celebrity with a high paid lawyer to avoid jail time. An experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer knows the Judges and Prosecution well and can prepare a powerful argument that will give you the best possible outcome.

Some sentences will require convicted defendants to serve their sentence in a Jails and some will require they serve their sentence in Prison. There are differences between the two and they each serve a specific purpose.

Jails are county facilities throughout the state which house two types of inmates. Inmates that are pending completion of their criminal cases house for community safety and for inmates who are serving sentences that are a year or less. The maximum amount of time someone can serve a sentence in a jail is a year.

State prisons, on the other hand, are federal facilities often used to house more serious and often violent offenders. These are for defendants that have already completed their court proceedings and have sentences greater than one year.

Articles Posted in Alternative Sentencing

Can you avoid Jail time like Paris Hilton for a Drug Offense?

Difference between California Jails and Prisons