What is a Split Sentence for a Felony Offense in California?
If you are convicted of a felony offense in California, you may be overcome with panic because you’re looking at the very real possibility of spending time in prison. However, there are options that may be available to you that could allow you to reduce the time you serve in prison. One of those options is split sentencing.
What is Split Sentencing?
A split sentence is a sentence where the offender is required to spend a certain amount of time in county jail then is allowed to serve the remainder of the sentence under supervised release.
Here is an example of how split sentencing works: let’s say you were sentenced to six years in prison. Under a split sentence, you will serve three of those years in county jail, then you will be able to serve the remaining three years of your sentence under probation. As part of your probation, you may be subject to mandatory supervision, anger management courses, drug or alcohol programs and/or mental health treatment.
The Rise in Popularity of Split Sentencing
Split sentencing was always an option in California for people charged with a felony. However, the popularity of split sentencing increased when the state passed the Public Safety Realignment Initiative (AB109) in 2011. This law changed where people convicted of non-violent, non-sexual and non-serious felonies could serve their sentences, allowing them to serve time in county jail instead of state prison.
The reasoning behind split sentencing was to help reduce California’s prison population. At the time of the ruling, prison occupancy was at 180 percent of designed capacity and prison overcrowding remains an issue today.
Benefits of Split Sentencing
The most obvious benefit of split sentencing is that you will not have to spend your entire sentence in prison. Another benefit is that you will be able to acclimate back into society and visit with your family sooner rather than later. In most cases, you will be allowed to get a job, go back to school, and perform other normal activities so long as they do not violate the terms of your probation.
Contact Our Experienced Criminal Defense Law Firm Today
It is important that you hire an experienced criminal defense attorney if you wish to obtain a split sentence in California. A skilled and knowledgeable attorney may be able to help you avoid jail time by arguing for a split sentence or attempting to fight the charges against you.
That is how our criminal defense lawyers at Wallin & Klarich can help you now. Our experienced attorneys have been successfully defending clients accused of felony offenses for more than 40 years. Let us help you now
We have offices Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino, Victorville, West Covina, Torrance, Los Angeles and San Diego to better serve our clients no matter where they live or work.
Call our office at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 for a free phone consultation. We will be there when you call.
