Are There Any Alternative Options to Avoid a Conviction or Minimize the Consequences?

If you are facing a criminal charge in Tennessee, the thought of doing jail time in the event of a conviction can be overwhelming. The good news is that the State of Tennessee does have alternative sentencing programs, and – barring having the charge against you dropped altogether or proceeding to a not guilty finding in court – one of these may be a good option for you. The most important step you can take in your efforts to secure a favorable case outcome is working closely with an experienced Nashville criminal defense attorney from the start.

Alternative Sentencing

Alternative sentencing refers to varied forms of sentencing that the court can impose – other than spending time behind bars – when a defendant is found guilty of a crime. The motivation behind alternative forms of sentencing is imposing an appropriate penalty that addresses the crime in question while also supporting reform.

Eligibility for Alternative Sentencing

Eligibility for alternative sentencing in the Tennessee criminal justice system is based on factors like the following:

• The defendant’s criminal history or record
• The severity of the charge the defendant is facing
• Any mitigating or extenuating circumstances that may apply

Every charge is considered on a case-by-case basis. Not only is eligibility not guaranteed, but there are also circumstances under which it’s completely off the table. Your seasoned criminal defense attorney will spare no effort in their pursuit of your case’s best possible resolution, which may involve alternative sentencing.

Primary Forms of Alternative Sentencing in Tennessee

In Tennessee, alternative sentencing breaks down into the following basic categories:

• Diversion programs, which allow qualified defendants to avoid a conviction – or even a criminal record – if they successfully complete the terms of the program
• Community service, which requires the defendant to give back to the community they harmed and is designed to be a positive substitute for incarceration
• House arrest, which refers to electronic monitoring and involves fitting the defendant with an ankle bracelet that monitors their movement in the world – going beyond the geographic limits set by the court sends an electronic notification to the probation department
• Probation, which can be ordered in lieu of imprisonment for charges that carry sentences of no more than ten years and which can be either supervised or unsupervised

An important point to keep in mind when it comes to alternative sentencing is that, regardless of the form, it amounts to an admission of guilt. In other words, agreeing to a plea deal that involves alternative sentencing may or may not be the right way to go. Your trusted criminal defense attorney will help you make the right choices for you as you navigate your unique case through the criminal justice system. 

Reach Out to an Experienced Nashville Criminal Defense Attorney for the Help You Need Today

Andrew Beasley at Andrew C. Beasley, PLLC, is an accomplished Nashville criminal defense attorney who welcomes the opportunity to help skillfully guide your claim toward its best possible resolution. We are here to help, so please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call 615-846-9889 for more information about what we can do for you today.