Alternative sentencing is a program that encourages the offender to make better choices and to help from committing crimes in the future. Studies have shown a reduction in recidivism anywhere from 20-60%. 

Alternative sentencing includes educational classes, rehabilitation programs and community service. 

Alternative sentencing is divided into two areas. Supervised release and misdemeanor probation. 

• Supervised release – for defendants who have been released from custody on their own recognizance (OR) or bail, while awaiting their trial or sentencing hearings. 
• Misdemeanor probation – for defendants sentenced to a suspended jail term. 

Each probationer or person on supervised release is provided with the terms of probation or pretrial conditions while they await their court hearings, trials or sentencing hearings.  

The programs and classes offered are: 

• Mental health programs and classes – will provide access to those who need assistance with mental health through counselors, therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists. 
• Domestic violence – provides anger management and other methods to preventing violence with family members. 
• DUI school – informs participants about alcoholism and how to make better choices before driving under the influence. 
• Traffic school – allows judges to reduce speeding tickets or other violations. 
• Petty Larceny – teaches about the risks and penalties of theft. 
• Substance abuse – provides education and support for the use of drugs and ways to overcome addiction. 
• House Arrest – is another option available to the judge to keep certain persons out of jail. It has been shown jail does not prevent further criminal activities. 
• Community service – in some cases court fines may be paid in completion of community service. 
• Work programs – court fines may be satisfied through work programs. 
• Impulse control – teaches more constructive ways to handle conflict. 
• Prostitution – first offense prostitution will teach about the hazards and problems with selling sex. 

As you can see, alternative sentencing programs offer many ways to help and prevent further criminal activities in the future.