This is one of the most common questions our clients ask us immediately after getting in trouble. Am I going to jail?
If you have been arrested recently or are out on bond currently, the threat of jail time is very real. No one wants to spend time locked away in a cell, away from their loved ones, with the potential of it affecting their future prospects permanently.
Frankly, the answer is: It depends. It depends on the charges you are facing, your criminal history, and the specifics of the situation. It’d be impossible to directly answer this question without knowing your specific situation but we can at least explore general situations to give you an idea of what’s next.
What Increases or Decreases Your Odds of Jail Time?
If you have several convictions in your past, you will likely face jail time upon conviction. We will help you fight it as hard as possible, but you may want to consider making realistic preparations for going to jail. Alabama criminal courts want to prevent repeat offenders from being back out on the streets to commit more crimes.
The more serious the charge, the more likely you will face jail time upon conviction. A non-violent offense is generally less likely to result in jail time than a violent one.
First offenders or even repeat offenders with minor offenses are often able to avoid jail time by cooperating through the process.
When Will I Face Probation?
People often confuse probation with parole. On parole, you may have to wear the ankle bracelet and stay at home under constant surveillance or supervision. Probation is also supervised, but the restrictions are less stringent. People who are charged with first-time or lower-level offenses are commonly sentenced to probation.
During probation, you will regularly report in to show that you are making an effort to be productive and stay out of trouble. This can include being employed or in school full time, avoiding certain “bad influence” individuals who are either co-defendants or criminals in their own right, and not abusing drugs or alcohol, which will be tested with randomly timed urine screenings. Probation can help you get access to counseling or other help you need along the way. As long as you are staying out of trouble, probation is fairly easy.
The Right Attorney Decreases Your Odds of Jail Time
If you are facing criminal charges, contact John M. Totten Attorney to get the help you need. We are not here to judge you or harm you. Our goal is to use the power of representation to preserve your freedom and future.
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