Orange County Criminal Defense Attorney

Alcohol & Drug Treatment in California

Not every criminal conviction needs to end with a jail sentence. Particularly in the case of a misdemeanor or first offense DUI (driving under the influence) charge or drug crime, drug or alcohol treatment may be an option. As a defense attorney, I believe that substance abuse treatment and counseling are excellent options for anyone facing a criminal conviction. These programs focus on rehabilitation, not punishment. They offer a second chance rather than locking someone up who really does have a problem and who needs help.

Alcohol or drug use can lead to a DUI arrest, drug charge or other types of criminal charges, including theft (shoplifting, petty theft, etc.) I’m Barney B. Gibbs, and I am an Orange County criminal defense attorney experienced in seeking alternative sentencing for clients arrested in and around Tustin, Anaheim, Newport Beach, Irvine, Fullerton, Westminster, Santa Ana and Costa Mesa. As an attorney with over 25 years of experience, I understand what charges are likely to qualify for alcohol or drug treatment, and I have been successful in a number of cases in securing alternative sentencing for my clients.

Alternative Sentencing in California

In California, most often first time offenders may qualify for drug treatment or alcohol treatment. Most minor offenses and misdemeanors may qualify for alternative sentencing, but serious and violent felony offenses typically will not allow for treatment or counseling in lieu of jail time. This is one reason why it is so important to work with a lawyer who can defend your rights and aggressively pursue lessened charges and sentencing for your case.

Many minor drug charges, such as possession, may qualify for drug treatment or rehabilitation. If the person convicted for a drug crime successfully completes a drug rehabilitation program, he or she can avoid jail time altogether. The same applies to DUI charges. While alcohol counseling and DUI school are often a part of any driving under the influence sentence, counseling or alcohol treatment can be sentenced instead of jail time, usually along with community service or a similar program.

Contact Orange County alternative sentencing attorney Barney B. Gibbs about how you can avoid jail with drug or alcohol treatment!