In recent years, courts around the country have been offering an increasing number of alternatives to incarceration including home arrest and electronic surveillance options. Unfortunately, San Diego County is still hesitant to take advantage of these options in all but the most unusual cases.
This may soon change thanks to sentencing laws that have recently been enacted, allowing for many of those who were previously sentenced to state prison for non-violent crimes to serve their time in local jails instead. The sheriff has predicted that San Diego jails will be at capacity by spring of 2012, meaning local judges will eventually be forced to start offering more alternative sentencing options like electronic monitoring and house arrest. In the meantime, an aggressive Vista criminal attorney like Peter M. Liss may be able to secure these options for you depending on your specific circumstances, but more often, those who wish to find an alternative to prison or jail will be sentenced to a work furlough.
While the name “work furlough” can sound intimidating, reminiscent of the chain gangs of olden times, many people prefer this option because it allows you to live outside of a cell and to be able to see your family more frequently. In a work furlough program, you will spend your days working at your job and your nights living in a dormitory-style facility with other inmates assigned to the program.
It is important to note that not everyone will qualify for a work furlough program, particularly those who have been convicted of a serious or violent felony. The program is most often offered to those who have been convicted for drug crimes, but it can also be an option for those convicted of repeat DUI charges, domestic violence or other less-serious felony and misdemeanor crimes.
If you are facing misdemeanor or felony charges and want to discuss alternatives to incarceration, should you be convicted, please call (760) 643-4050 to schedule a free initial consultation with a skilled Vista criminal lawyer.
Creative Commons Image by Casey Serin
