Instead of locking people away for years at a time, with few to no resources, it is no wonder that many recently released prisoners eventually end up behind bars once more. Without the tools to learn from their mistakes, how can inmates be expected to lead more productive lives? As a board-certified criminal law specialist, Jeffrey B. Hayden, Attorney at Law recognizes that there are many alternative sentencing options out there, and he will work hard to help you receive the best possible outcome so that you can have the support you need to move on to a brighter future.
Alternative Sentencing Options
Many individuals who find themselves facing criminal charges are struggling with substance abuse. Rather than locking addicts behind bars and depriving them of the professional help they need, options such as treatment court offer the opportunity for people to receive treatment and rehabilitation for nonviolent, drug-related offenses as an alternative to traditional punishments. The aim is to focus on treating the addiction itself in order to reduce the likelihood of that individual involving themselves in future drug-related crimes.
For individuals with a history of mental illness, incarceration has not been shown to have an impact on preventing the person from committing future offenses. In fact, putting a person suffering from mental illness behind bars with no professional resources may drive them further into psychological distress. This is why courts in California are increasingly turning to alternative sentencing options, such as transitional housing, treatment facilities, and other programs designed to support individuals afflicted by mental illness, in favor of sentencing them to time behind bars.
Giving People a Second Chance
The idea behind alternative sentencing is to closely examine the criminal justice system to determine what aspects are worth keeping in place, what improvements can be made, and what elements should be abandoned altogether. Alternative sentencing options can be considered for both felony and misdemeanor offenses, and it’s up to the judge to make the final determination about what consequences would produce the most successful outcome—for both the individual and society as a whole. Seasoned criminal defense attorney Jeffrey B. Hayden has dedicated his professional career to helping his clients achieve the assistance they need in order to learn from their mistakes. We understand that everyone makes mistakes, and we will work tirelessly to advocate for your future. If you are looking for a criminal defense attorney who will really listen to your side of the story and work to get you the support you need, reach out to our office right away to get started.
