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Effective Alternatives to DUI Incarceration

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from dui rehab instead of jail, it’s that there are a lot of options instead of jail time if you are above 21 (according to MLDA)

As an eyewitness of DUI cases, I ensured jail time isn’t the only option for self-improvement. There are several options available, including community service, electronic monitoring, PTD and PTI, work release, fines, and so on. 

But that must be confirmed by the court according to the nature of the violence. Look over the blog to know in detail.

Additional alternatives instead of jailtime

Community Service

It may include police departments, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, shelters for animals, and many more.

Here, you can learn to communicate with unknowns, make the best use of time, and do something for others’ betterment. But for getting community service, your offenses must be lower. 

Linda, a cousin from my mother’s side, worked in a library in California for 3 months as an alternative to jail for DUI. She was drunk and drove the car in the wrong lane and also hit a bicycle standing in the parking lot. 

But it was her initial offense that was why the authority gave her a chance and asked her to complete a 3-month community service. 

She chose the library as it not only helped her to guide others but taught herself to avoid triggers. 

As she was fond of books. and it was a way of healing. It happened 3 years back and still, she didn’t commit any kind of DUI again.

Electronic Monitoring

As an expert, I can say it’s a type of home arrest. It means you can stay at home while maintaining personal and professional responsibilities instead of jail. 

You will be monitored electronically by the authority with the device, such as a SCRAM ankle monitor. It’s a kind of SCRAM bracelet and a sober living environment. That helps to know your location and the things you are doing to the authority. I hope you don’t fool the authorities. With the help of SCRAM devices, the judge may know if you are taking drugs or doing any unusual behavior.

DUI Rehabilitation

A court can order that a DUI offender spend a portion of the sentencing, such as 6 months to 1 year in a sober living program. Most of the time, you may be sentenced to rehab. When you have a record of using drugs or when the DUI is severe, this is most frequently undertaken. If you complete the rehab, then the sentencing may be reduced.

MADD Victim Impact Panel

Victim Impact Panels are a combined program that allows you to share the story of your crime and the personal experience of the victim. 

Then regarding this, they make you understand your crime and support the victim as well as encourage you to take responsibility for it. 

And here another sector of VIPs is Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Which deals with drunk driving victims, the families of the victims, and the offenders. And deal with both sides to end up with an effective decision.

Even judges use these seminars to make both the offender and victim understand the severity of the consequences.

PTD and PTI

It’s demonstrated as Pretrial Diversion and Intervention. It’s mainly applicable to nonviolent offenders as their initial mistake. 

You may avoid triggers through sessions, and treatments of programs inside PTD and PTI.

Jail isn’t a place to recover but punishment. You can be guilty of your deed. Some options allow you to use instead of jail just to get sober and recover life. But continuous mistakes aren’t counted here. Attend programs, sessions, and treatment instead of jail properly to avoid jail and recover yourself.

Tony McKenzie

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