Central Valley DUI Lawyers | Fresno Drunk Driving Attorneys

Alternatives to Jail in the Central Valley

The Law Offices of Michael E. Mitchell is committed to providing you the most thorough, vigorous and aggressive Criminal and DUI defense possible. We will pursue all avaible avenues to defend your case. Our in depth investigation often means the difference in whether a person is convicted of a Crime or DUI.

The Law Offices of Michael E. Mitchell is the Central Valley's preminent Criminal and DUI law firm. When it comes to your representation, rest assured that your case is being handled by an attorney experienced in Criminal and DUI defense.

An experienced Criminal and DUI (driving-under-the influence) defense attorney has to consider what to do in case there is a conviction. Where there is no other option but a conviction, there are still alternatives for a client other than serving time in jail. We will briefly discuss some alternatives to jail that are available to clients we represent here in the Central Valley. Not every alternative to jail or prison is discussed. Only those alternatives that are possible for people charged with driving under the influence in our neck of the woods.

These alternatives include:

Alternative Work Program
Community Service
Electronic Monitor
Alcohol and Drug outpatient and inpatient programs
Alcohol and Drug Court programs

If you have been charged with a crime or DUI (driving-under-the influence) our first objective is to obtain a dismissal or not-guilty verdict. If that is not possible, these alternative-sentencing programs should be carefully considered.

Alternative Work Program: Fresno and other counties have work release programs that are alternatives to serving time in jail. Fresno’s program is called the alternative work program or “AOWP,” Merced’s program is called the “Work in Lieu” program, Tulare’s program is nicknamed the Sheriff’s Work Alternative Program or “SWAP.” Although these programs have many nicknames depending on the county, they consist of working for either the sheriff’s department or probation during set hours. Usually, a participant who has been convicted of a crime or DUI is able to work on weekends and avoid the inconvenience of disrupting their job or profession. Only 8 hour work days are required while participating on a work release program from 8am to 5pm.

Community Service: This consists of charitable work for services such as salvation army, good will, hospitals, local churches, etc. There are many, many options for community service. Community service is less structured than alternative work programs and a participant is usually allowed to complete the hours whenever they want so long as they are completed by a set date. The reality is that many counties are now forcing people convicted of a crime or DUI to participate in alternative work programs or jail rather than allowing community service. However, this is still an option and should always be considered. Especially for clients who live outside the county where they were arrested or charged with a crime or DUI and participating in a work program would be extremely difficult.

Electronic Monitor: An electronic monitoring program is also referred to as “house arrest.” This consists of wearing an ankle bracelet and staying at home while the participant is not going to work, school, or their DUI programs. Participants must not leave their home unless prior arrangements have been made with the sheriff or probation department.

Alcohol and Drug out patient and inpatient programs: If you’ve been convicted of a Crime or DUI and are willing to admit that you may have a problem with alcohol or drugs, inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation may be the answer. If you feel that you may need benefit from treatment, we can arrange both inpatient and outpatient treatment programs that will serve in place of custody time. A competent Criminal/DUI defense lawyer will be able to seek out these options. If treatment is what you need, we will do our best to persuade the court that the community and you would be best served by participating in rehabilitation rather than jail.

Alcohol and Drug Court Programs: If you have been charged with a drug offense as well as a DUI or criminal offense, we may be able to arrange an alcohol or drug court-run program. These include deferred entry of judgment (DEJ), Proposition 36 and recently counties are starting alcohol programs. Generally completion of these programs will result in a dismissal of the charges or a reduced sentence.

Contact the Law Offices of Michael E. Mitchell to discuss these alternatives to sentencing and any other questions you may have regarding a pending criminal or DUI related offense. We are here to help 24 hours a day, Seven days a week. Our telephone number is 559-222-2424.

Michael E. Mitchell is an aggressive Criminal DUI Defense lawyer who defends clients in California's Central Valley and San Joaquin Valley, including Fresno County, Tulare County, Merced County, Madera County, County of Kings, Mariposa County, Fresno, Tulare, Merced, Madera, Kings County, Mariposa, Visalia, Hanford, Dinuba, Los Banos, Selma, Kingsburg, Clovis, Sanger, Reedley, Kerman, Parlier, Coalinga, Firebaugh, Fowler, Mendota, Visalia, Avenal, Corcoran, Lemoore, Porterville, Bass Lake, Shaver Lake, Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park.