Our Ontario drug crimes criminal defense attorneys very much appreciate having the option of a drug diversion program for clients accused of nonviolent drug offenses. This program allows defendants to keep a conviction off their records by successfully completing a kind of probation and rehabilitation program. So we were very interested in an Oct. 29 CNN article about veterans' courts, which extend that concept to former members of the armed services. The program is available to veterans accused of relatively minor offenses, who are also struggling with mental health, addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder or other service-related problems. Its goal is to offer help instead of jail or prison time to people who are struggling personally as a result of their service to the country.
As of November 1, there were veterans' courts in at least five California counties: Orange, Santa Clara, Ventura, Tulare and Los Angeles. These courts have discretion to decide what kinds of crimes they will hear; the Orange County veterans' court accepts offenders accused of violent crimes as well as nonviolent ones. But rather than giving the offenders the same sentence they'd see if convicted in a normal court, judges order lengthy probation, and when appropriate, psychiatric care and drug or alcohol treatment and testing. The article goes into detail about the workings of the Orange County veterans' court, where some offenders say they got badly needed help. One Army veteran was charged with making a death threat, which could have sent him to prison for three years. Instead, he got probation and 18 months of closely supervised PTSD and addiction treatment.
As Lake Forest drug crimes criminal defense lawyers, we hope this program continues to succeed. The article doesn't go into this, but it's well known that former soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines can come out of a war emotionally traumatized as well as physically wounded. The idea behind veterans' court, and for that matter drug court, is to stop criminal behavior by stopping the underlying problems -- addiction and mental health problems. As an Orange County judge points out in the article, these problems are unlikely to go away in prison, and when defendants are released back into the community, there's little to stop them from another offense. Treating defendants instead gives them another chance at a healthy life as well as at freedom, while benefiting the justice system and community.
Howard Law, P.C. defends people from all walks of life, including but not limited to military veterans, from drug-related criminal charges. Despite California's reputation for being friendly to certain drugs, drug charges can be very, very serious. Even simple possession can mean jail, depending on the amount. For crimes involving larger amounts of drugs or an organized network, the penalties can add up to many years in prison. That's why it's essential to call our San Gabriel drug crimes criminal defense attorneys for help as soon as you realize you are or will be charged. In more serious cases, we can start building a strong defense from the start, gathering evidence while it's fresh and beginning negotiations with prosecutors early. We can also help clients who prefer a guilty plea push for alternative penalties such as drug court, which is open to nearly everyone facing a nonviolent drug offense.
If you're charged with a drug crime, you need experienced legal advice, preferably right away. Howard Law, P.C. can help. To learn more about us or tell us about your situation, call us toll-free at 1-800-872-5925 or send us a message through the Internet.
