Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch
I read some stories about the drug courts this weekend and they are doing a great job. And I have no problem with secure jails where prisoners are detoxed and treated. I don't know how it would work for violent offenders though.
I would think that defense lawyers would be pushing for every one of their clients to be sentenced to this program to get shorter sentences and possibly easier time.
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Right now, if you're convicted of impaired driving, you can seek a curative discharge. You would be required to undergo therapy and counseling and submit to a host of other conditions. The terms of your sentence can be one to three years (compared with the one year license suspension for a first time offender) If you abide by all that is imposed upon you, the end result is a discharge and no conviction for impaired driving. I've had a few people inquire about this as a possible sentencing alternative but every single one of them figured it would be easier to take their lumps with a regular sentence, continue imbibing and go on with their life rather than make a genuine effort to kick the habit over several years.
If they are serious about requiring offenders in a safe jail to take part in treatment and being genuinely interested in detoxing, I'm not sure getting sentenced to a safe jail would be "easier" time at all.