Are There Alternatives to Jail or Prison Time in Florida?

In Florida, not all criminal offenses will be punished with a jail or prison sentence. Although punishing crimes is one of its major objectives, the criminal justice system has an ultimate goal of rehabilitating offenders so that they can reenter society as law-abiding citizens. Some offenders may be ordered to go on probation, do community service, go on house arrest, or participate in a diversion program. All of these sentencing alternatives are designed to rehabilitate the offenders and reduce the possibilities of repeat offenses.

The circumstances surrounding a crime or the specific offender will determine whether or not a sentencing alternative will be ordered. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer who can advocate on your behalf. At Fighter Law, our top-notch criminal defense team wants to help you obtain the best possible sentencing alternative you can receive.

The Purpose of Sentencing Alternatives

Jail time or prison time may not be an appropriate outcome for specific offenses or for certain offenders. For instance, the courts have been known to offer sentencing alternatives to first-time offenders who show genuine remorse and willingness to change. A person who commits a minor, non-violent drug offense might be ordered to go to rehab or attend drug court instead of serving time. When an offender commits a non-violent crime, the courts are more willing to turn to a sentencing alternative that will promote the offender’s rehabilitation.

Although Florida has alternatives to jail and prison sentences, sentencing alternatives are not guaranteed. The specific facts of your case will determine whether or not you will receive a sentencing alternative. No person should try to negotiate for a sentencing alternative without the representation of a lawyer. A skilled team of criminal defense lawyers can advocate for you as you seek an alternative to serving a jail or prison sentence.

Common Sentencing Alternatives in Florida

In Florida, there are several sentencing alternatives that may be ordered for an offender. While some of these alternatives require hours of community service or classes, others may simply require the offender to abide by a curfew while being electronically monitored. Below are some of the common sentencing alternatives in Florida:

• Probation: A person on probation will remain a participating member of society, but they will be monitored by a probation officer and must follow certain rules for a specific period of time.
• Community Service: An offender may be ordered to serve a set number of hours of community service as punishment for a criminal offense.
• House Arrest: In certain instances, a criminal offender may be ordered to go on house arrest. This means that the offender will be electronically monitored, and they will only be permitted to leave the house for pre-approved appointments or work.
• Pre-trial Diversion: Pretrial diversion programs are usually offered to first-time offenders, and such programs may involve a combination of classes, community service, counseling, and rehab.

Sentencing alternatives are beneficial for many reasons. For example, these alternatives allow jails and prisons to remain available for violent criminals who need to be removed from society. Sentencing alternatives promote the genuine rehabilitation of criminal offenders in order to reduce the possibilities of repeat offenses.

Contact the Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyers With Fighter Law Today

In Florida, not all criminals will be sentenced to jail or prison. There are several sentencing alternatives that can be ordered depending on the specific facts of a case. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, you may be eligible for a sentencing alternative. You need a legal team that has your best interests at heart and will fight for you, and Fighter Law is ready to take on that task. We have successfully obtained sentencing alternatives for our past clients, and we may be able to help you as well.

At Fighter Law, Thomas Feiter is a board-certified attorney with years of valuable experience defending clients and protecting their rights. We have a skilled team of criminal defense attorneys ready to advocate for you. To schedule a consultation today, you can call (407) 344-4837 or fill out our contact form here.

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