Sentencing alternatives program inc

The community often receives a financial benefit since electronic monitoring systems are often paid for by the defendant or their family and thus become cheaper for taxpayers instead of housing the defendant in a state operated jail. Community service hours are often recorded by an official or leader of the program who will record the hours and report it back to the judge.

While it might be tempting to finish your community service hours at the last moment, as it can take up a lot of your time, it is best to schedule your community service in equal chunks to make sure you complete it on time. If the defendant completes the prescribed program, they may avoid a conviction altogether.

Common programs involve drug and alcohol treatment, psychological or psychiatric treatment, and counseling or educational programs. Domestic abusers may also receive an order to complete abuse prevention programs in lieu of a jail sentence and military veterans may be eligible for programs provided by the federal government to divert them from incarceration.

A defendant who would like to take advantage of a diversion program or alternative sentence needs to volunteer to do so. A judge is less likely to order treatment or a rehabilitative plan if the defendant refuses to participate. Other factors may include an intake assessment by a social worker or other administrator of the desired program to see if the defendant is appropriate.

Many crimes are simply not eligible for diversion or alternative sentencing such as violent offenses or drug trafficking related actions. A local criminal defense attorney can help defend you and protect your rights.

Experienced attorneys can help identify alternative sentences you may qualify in your local city or county and assist you in determining your eligibility. You should discuss with your attorney the consequences for failing to complete an alternative sentence as most judges will order the defendant to jail if they fail to attend or complete the program as required.

Jose Rivera. Law Library Disclaimer. Can't find your category? Click here. Choose a Legal Category: Family Law. Real Estate and Property Law. Criminal Law. Personal Injury. Defective Products. Courts have diverted between 12, and 13, people in each of the past five years.

We have enclosed a copy of a recent OLR report dealing with drug rehabilitation in Connecticut— R Under current law, diversionary services for defendants with psychiatric disorders are sometimes referred to other diversionary programs. These services include:. Presumably, similar services will be provided under the diversionary program created by PA , January Special Session. The act creates a supervised diversionary program for people with psychiatric disabilities, which it defines as a mental or emotional condition, other than solely substance abuse, that 1 has substantial adverse effects on the defendant ' s ability to function and 2 requires care and treatment.

People with these conditions who have been accused of less serious crimes or less serious motor vehicle violations that carry prison sentences are eligible unless they 1 are ineligible for accelerated rehabilitation due to the nature of the charges or previous participation in other diversionary programs or 2 have participated in the program twice before.

Public Access. The act bars courts from making the accused ' s file available to the public when the accused files an application to participate in the program and states under oath in open court or in front of someone the clerk designates that he or she has not participated in the program more than once. Victim Notification. Court personnel must notify victims by registered or certified mail that the accused has applied for the program and that they have an opportunity to be heard by the court on the matter.

The act directs CSSD to establish policies and procedures for requiring its employees to notify victims of 1 court-ordered participation conditions that directly affect the victim and 2 scheduled court appearances. Assessment Process and Treatment Plan. The court must refer applicants to CSSD for confirmation of eligibility and an assessment of his or her mental condition.

The prosecutor must give CSSD a copy of the police report to assist in its assessment. CSSD must determine if the person is amenable to treatment and if appropriate services and treatment are available.

If so, it must develop a treatment plan tailored to the person and present it to the court. Diversion Program. If the court approves the application, it must refer the accused to CSSD; and the division, in collaboration with DMHAS, must place him or her in a program that provides appropriate community supervision, treatment, and services. Program participants must be supervised by a probation officer with a reduced caseload and specialized training in working with people with psychiatric disabilities.

Despite his unstable home life, Hugo regularly attends the program and has a very positive attitude. Unfortunately, his only way of getting to FCA is a long walk, so he usually rides his bike, which recently broke. She has been working extremely hard to get to a stable place so she can be with her daughters.

The family is working hard to educate themselves about the behaviors the children display due to the trauma they faced. Violet loves the children deeply, but the stress of the situation has taken a toll on her.