When a person is arrested for a crime, the possibility of going to jail is very real. The problem is that incarceration is not always the answer, and the punishment should fit the crime. Too many prisons are overcrowding, and that’s because too many defendants convicted of misdemeanors and other non-violent crimes are sitting in cells. We work hard to keep our clients out of jail, and work towards rehabilitation rather than incarceration.

If valuable resources were put to use for educational programs, and other rehabilitative services, the problem with prison overcrowding would decrease. Here are two ways to stop prisons from overflowing with offenders that would have their interests better served outside the prison walls:

  • Reduce minimum sentences for non-violent offenders.
  • Require more oversight during probationary terms, and include work programs in the terms of sentences for lesser offenses.

When non-violent or mentally ill offenders are made to serve long sentences, the system fails. These types of offenders receive no benefit from their term of incarceration, and society is better served by getting assistance to those that need it (such as the emotionally or mentally ill defendant), or allowing a non-violent offender to face the consequences of his sentence outside of jail. The cost to house an inmate is on the rise, and when the prisons are full it becomes more costly to find appropriate alternatives. Likewise, if the jails are full of people that would benefit from another punishment scheme, it means violent criminals may be sentenced more leniently or not at all. If you have been arrested for a crime and would like more information on the penal system, call our office. We can help answer your questions, and develop defense strategies that make sense for the facts of your case.

For questions about criminal law, call us today. Contact our office to schedule an appointment with an experienced criminal defense attorney in Stuart and the Treasure Coast. Your first visit is a free initial consultation.