Can I Serve My Jail Sentence Only on Weekends?

Can I serve my jail sentence only on weekends?

Jail and prison overcrowding has become an epidemic in the state of California. To help ease overcrowding, inmates who exhibit good behavior can have their sentences significantly reduced.

For misdemeanor or non-violent crimes, some can even avoid going to county jail altogether by serving their sentences on weekends in private or pay-to-stay jails.

The option to serve a jail sentence on weekends may be available to you depending on the nature of your crime and personal circumstances.

What is a Private Jail?

A private jail is a jail facility that works under contract with a government agency. It has the same restrictions and supervision as a county jail. However, private jails are considered cleaner and may allow for private rooms and private bathrooms. Some private jails even allow inmates to bring items like laptops and books.

Private jails cost about $150 per day. Anaheim, Huntington Beach and Glendale are just a few Southern California cities with private jail locations.

How is a Private Jail Sentence Served?

Private jails are best suited for those who are sentenced to serve up to 10 days in county jail. A jail sentence served in private jail can be served continuously or on weekends.

For example, if you are sentenced to eight days in jail, you have the option to serve the eight days over four weekends. This can be beneficial to those with work commitments or other personal circumstances. You can arrive at the private jail by 6 p.m. on Friday and get released at 6 p.m. on Sunday. A jail sentence served in private jail cannot be reduced for good behavior.

Am I Eligible to Serve Time in Private Jail?

You may be eligible to keep your job and enter a pay to stay jail.

If you have been convicted of a misdemeanor or non-violent crime such as petty theft or DUI, the option to serve your jail sentence in a private jail may be available to you. However, you need to know that you cannot choose to serve a sentence in a private jail; the option must be granted to you by a judge's order and you must undergo a screening by jail officials in order to serve time at a private jail.

If you have gang affiliations or a history of violent or sexual crimes, you will likely not qualify to serve your sentence in a private jail. You also could be excluded if you have serious health conditions because most private jails do not have a full medical staff.

How Can I Serve My Sentence in Private Jail?

If you are interested in serving time in a private jail, your experienced criminal defense attorney can help you. A skilled Wallin & Klarich attorney can guide you through the process and fight for the private jail option on your behalf in court. Our attorneys can assist you in filling out an application for the private jail of your choice so you have the best chance at getting accepted.

Call the Criminal Defense Attorneys at Wallin & Klarich Today

Our knowledgeable attorneys at Wallin & Klarich can guide you through the process of getting into a private jail and help you explore all of your options for alternative sentencing in your case. Our attorneys have over 40 years of experience successfully helping clients in criminal cases. Let us help you today.

With offices in Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks, Torrance, Tustin, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, West Covina and Victorville, there is an experienced Wallin & Klarich criminal defense attorney near you no matter where you work or live.

Call us today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 for a free phone consultation. We will get through this together.