Orange County DUI – Community Service

Some convicted Orange County drunk drivers are eligible for alternative sentencing, in lieu of fines or jail time. An Orange County DUI Defense Attorney can explain alternative sentencing alternatives and help you to understand which ones may be applicable in your case.  One sentence alternative that is generally available is community service.

As a substitute for jail, community service requires an individual to work – without pay – for a civic or nonprofit organization.  Performing community service provides a benefit to the organization that is receiving the service, to the taxpayers by reducing the burden on overcrowded jails, and to Orange County DUI offenders themselves.  The defendant is allowed to continue living at home while contributing to a good cause.

There are many creative possibilities in performing community service.  DUI drivers in particular professions – plumbers, electricians, carpenters, dentists, doctors, etc. – can sometimes donate their skills to social service agencies.  Other individuals can find service opportunities at organizations such as the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, YMCA, local animal shelters, or other charitable organizations that need volunteers.
Community service will allow the Orange County DUI offender to get good time/work time custody credits for every hour spent contributing to a community service program.  These hours will be applied to the amount of time that would have otherwise been spent in jail.

Alternative sentencing such as community service can be a desirable option for OC DUI drivers who wish to avoid jail.  If community service is available to you, keep in mind that you would otherwise be in jail.  A qualified Orange County DUI Defense Lawyer can evaluate each case to determine whether alternative sentencing is an option to jail.