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Criticisms of Alternative Sentencing
When a judge orders an alternative sentence, the offender does not serve a traditional prison term. Instead, the offender might only serve part-time, such as in a work release or weekend sentencing program. In other forms of alternative sentencing, like community service, the offender avoids prison completely. While alternative sentencing allows offenders to provide for their families and re-integrate into society, there are some criticisms of these programs.
The biggest criticism of alternative sentencing involves deterrence. Many harsh prison sentences are designed to keep others from committing the same crime for fear of receiving a similar sentence. Alternative sentencing does not have that effect. However, it is uncertain if harsh prison terms actually have a deterrent effect.
The other major criticism of alternative sentencing is that the punishment is not severe enough. Therefore, it does not satisfy society’s need to punish offenders on the victim’s behalf. However, alternative sentencing is only available for nonviolent offenders. This limits the need for retribution a bit.
If you have questions about alternative sentencing, you should consult with a lawyer. An experienced criminal defense attorney can explain the different types of alternative sentencing and how often those sentences are used in your area.
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