Alternatives to Incarceration in New Jersey
Passaic County NJ Criminal Defense Lawyer
Alissa Hascup represents clients throughout New Jersey, including in Passaic County, Morris County, Bergen County, and Essex County, who have been charged with criminal offenses such as aggravated sexual assault, robbery, terroristic threats, and weapons offenses.
If you are facing criminal charges, the consequences of a conviction can be severe. It is important that you have an experienced attorney represent you throughout the process and fight for the best possible result. In the event you are facing the potential of incarceration, having a skilled lawyer to represent you during sentencing is critical. Contact Alissa Hascup anytime at 862-257-1200 for an initial consultation, which is always provided free of charge.
Alternatives to Incarceration in New Jersey
Even if your Plea Agreement calls for a period of incarceration, Alissa Hascup is a knowledgeable, battle-tested lawyer who can attempt to convince the Court that you are deserving of an alternative disposition. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:43-2b and N.J.S.A. 2C:43-2c, the Court has the authority to sentence a defendant to the following alternative dispositions:
Suspended Sentence
The Court may suspend the imposition of a sentence on a person who has been convicted of an offense.The suspension is of any and all imprisonment, and may extend for a period not to exceed 5 years.
There may be conditions set to the suspension, the violation of which carries sanctions similar to those imposed for a violation of probation. See N.J.S.A. 2C:45-3b. The same guidelines that apply to resentencing upon a violation of probation apply to sentencing upon of a violation of a suspended sentence.
Sheriff’s Labor Assistance Program (“SLAP”)
The Court may permit a defendant to serve up to 90 days of incarceration on SLAP. SLAP is a community-based corrections program, wherein defendants perform moderate levels of manual labor. Defendants must serve at least 1 day a week until their sentence is complete. There is a processing fee, as well as a per day fee associated with participating in the program.
During participation, defendants are technically considered inmates of the county correctional facility and are, therefore, subject to all associated rules and regulations, including searches. Only non-violent offenders are eligible to participate in SLAP.
Other Alternatives
- Community Service Work. The Court may order that a defendant be supervised in the community or perform community-related service work.
- Nights and Weekends. In lieu of incarceration, the Court may sentence a defendant to imprisonment at night or on weekends with liberty to work or to participate in training or educational programs.
- Residential Facilities. The Court may order that a defendant be released to a halfway house or other residential facility in the community (including agencies which are not directly operated by the Department of Human Services).
- Driving Privileges. Instead of incarceration, the Court may postpone, suspend, or revoke (for a period not exceed 2 years) the driver’s license, registration certificate, or both of any person convicted of a crime, disorderly persons offense, or petty disorderly persons offense in the course of which a motor vehicle was used.
Contact a Totowa NJ Criminal Sentencing Lawyer for Answers
If you find yourself in a situation where you or a loved one have been charged with a criminal offense, an alternative to incarceration may be the appropriate disposition. It is imperative that you contact a lawyer immediately to ensure that you avail yourself of all options. Alissa Hascup understands the importance of attacking the State’s case and limiting your exposure to the greatest extent possible. She is prepared to use her extensive experience and knowledge of the law to your advantage. Call or email Ms. Hascup anytime for your free initial consultation.
