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Types of Alternative Sentencing
If someone is convicted of a crime, the judge will decide what the appropriate punishment will be. While everyone is familiar with the concept of being sent to prison or being put on probation, there are a number of alternative sentencing methods being used by judges across the United States.
One common type of alternative sentencing is a type of partial incarceration. This can include work release and weekend sentencing programs. Work release programs allow the inmate to work in the community each day, returning to the prison during non-working hours. Weekend sentencing programs allow the inmate to only spend certain days (usually weekends) in prison. The rest of the week they are able to live at home and work as normal.
Another type of alternative sentencing is house arrest. Here, the offender is allowed to live at home. Depending on the specific sentence, they may be allowed to leave home for various reasons, including work. People under house arrest are usually monitored electronically, typically by an ankle bracelet.
A third type of alternative sentencing is community service. Here, offenders are required to work for various government or nonprofit agencies for a specified amount of time. Tasks can range from helping out at nursing homes to helping fight forest fires.
Alternative sentencing is generally not available for violent criminals, multiple offenders, or people who have violated drug laws. If you have questions about eligibility for alternative sentencing, you should speak to an experienced criminal defense attorney.
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