Alternative Sentencing for Orange County Drug Crimes

Orange County Drug Charges Lawyer

Under California Proposition 36, the Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act, defendants facing drug charges may be entitled to an alternative sentence in order to avoid imprisonment. Individuals charged with first or second non-violent drug crimes may be eligible for treatment or rehabilitation rather than spending time in jail or prison. The purpose behind this Act was to help people dealing with drug abuse rather than to simply punish them. In providing drug offenders with the opportunity to solve the problem at its root, Proposition 36 was also intended to reduce the possibility of repeat offenders, as well as drug users who escalate to other criminal offenses, such as theft, burglary or robbery.

If you are facing drug charges in Orange County, you may wonder whether you can seek alternative sentencing in lieu of imprisonment. By talking to a drug crime lawyer at the Law Offices of Fred Thiagarajah, you can learn more about your specific case and what rights you may have under Proposition 36. Your initial consultation with an attorney at our firm is free, and we are happy to see how we can help you.

How Does Alternative Sentencing Work?

If a defendant qualifies for alternative sentencing, the court will have him or her enter a plea of "guilty" or "no contest." The court will then place the defendant on probation, during which time he or she must successfully complete a drug rehabilitation/treatment program. If the defendant completes the program, his or her case will ultimately be dismissed.

Interested in learning more about alternative sentencing for California drug crimes? Call our firm or contact us online to set up your free initial consultation with an experienced Orange County drug crime attorney who can help. Contact us today!