Sentencing Alternatives: From Incarceration to Diversion

A convicted defendant's punishment may involve one or a combination of different elements, including prison, probation, compensating the victim or community service. This article looks at each in turn.

Incarceration

The concept of locking someone up for a fixed period of time is relatively new to our culture. Some laws require the judges to impose what are called "determinate" prison sentences. A determinate sentence is a fixed-term sentence pronounced by a judge. For example, a defendant sentenced to "30 days in county jail" or "five years in state prison" has received a determinate sentence. Defendants who receive determinate sentences at least know the maximum period of incarceration as soon as they are sentenced, but they may get out earlier because of parole, or because they have not been a problem (good time credits) or because the jail or prison is overcrowded and their bed is needed for a new inmate.

Other laws require judges to give "indeterminate sentences." Indeterminate sentences are those in which the legislature sets a minimum and/or maximum time of incarceration, but leaves the decision as to when to release an inmate to prison officials. For example, a defendant sentenced to "serve not less than two nor more than twenty years in the state penitentiary" has received an indeterminate sentence. As a general rule, indeterminate sentences are only imposed on people who are sentenced to prison after being convicted of a felony.

Suspended Sentences

Sometimes a defendant's prison sentence is "suspended." A suspended sentence is jail or prison time that is put on hold if the defendant complies with certain other obligations, for example, the conditions of probation or the completion of a drug treatment program. Under a suspended sentence, the judge has authority to order the defendant to serve the sentence without first holding a trial, provided that the prosecution or probation department is able to show that the defendant violated the condition that led to the sentence being suspended in the first place.

Fines

Fines are a common punishment for a variety of crimes, especially less serious offenses committed by first-time offenders. Offenses that are typically punished by a fine include minor drug possession (of a small amount of marijuana, for example), fish and game violations, shoplifting, traffic and even some first-time drunk driving cases. In more serious offenses or where the defendant has a criminal record, many judges combine a fine with other punishments, such as incarceration, community service and probation. In many parts of the country, laws specify the maximum amount an offender may be fined for a particular offense. The judge is then free to impose a fine up to but not exceeding that amount.

Restitution

While fines go to the state (or federal or local government prosecuting the crime), restitution is money paid by the defendant to the victim or to a state restitution fund. In some cases, the "victim" is society, such as welfare and Medicare fraud schemes where defendants may be sentenced to pay the state back the money defrauded. More typically offenders may be required to return or replace stolen or damaged property, to compensate victims for physical injuries, medical and psychological treatment costs or to pay funeral and other costs where a victim dies.

Sometimes, plea bargains are struck where criminal charges are dropped altogether if the defendant admits guilt and completely compensates the victim for stolen property or a vandalized car. This type of arrangement may be called a "civil compromise."

Probation

Probation is a leash that the criminal justice system puts on defendants in lieu of incarceration in jail or prison. Offenders who are put on probation (either instead of or in addition to any other punishment they might receive) are typically required to adhere to a number of "conditions of probation."

Probation officers also can check in on a probationer -- at home or at work, announced or unannounced. Some probationers such as those convicted on drug charges are also subject to random searches and drug tests. Most courts have concluded that probationers do not have the same rights to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures as other people.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14