Alternatives to Incarceration in Drug Cases

When you are facing drug charges, working closely with an attorney who will explain clearly all your rights, options and potential consequences can help to ensure that you make decision that are in your best interests. Call today (952) 522-5026 to schedule a consultation and case evaluation with an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Since the late 1980s, there has been a dramatic shift in the American justice system’s approach to drug crimes. Drug courts, which operate or are being planned in all 50 states, offer an alternative to traditional incarceration. By providing a structure that emphasizes substance abuse treatment and on-going supervision, drug courts aim to rehabilitate and reduce repeat offenses. To learn about the range of alternatives to jail that may be available to you, contact Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys in Minneapolis, MN, today to schedule a consultation with a criminal defense attorney.

The drug court model

The first drug court was established in Miami, Florida, in 1989. First developed as a way to relieve increased felony caseloads and overcrowded jails and prisons, the drug court movement has gained tremendous momentum throughout the United States. In the decades since then, drug courts now operate, or are being planned, in all 50 states.

Recognizing that incarceration alone has not been an effective solution to breaking the cycle of drug abuse and crime, the drug court model combines criminal justice and medical treatment approaches. Together, it is believed, these methods can help individuals break their dependence on drugs and ultimately take back control of their lives.

While the specific programs and methods used by individual drug courts vary, the emphasis is cooperation by all parties — the court, prosecution, defendant and treatment providers — to rehabilitate individuals with substance abuse problems who have been charged with a drug crime. Drug court participants undergo long-term treatment (typically 12 months), counseling, frequent drug testing and regular court appearances. Related social and educational services may also be part of the process. The progress of each participant is regularly monitored and evaluated, and on-going interaction with judges is a common feature.

While drug courts have tended to focus on low-level and first-time offenders, individuals with more severe substance abuse issues and histories of criminal activity have increasingly come within the jurisdiction of drug courts.

Successful outcomes

Participants who comply with drug court terms and conditions often have their sentences reduced or set aside, probation rescinded or charges dropped altogether. Depending on the particular drug court, approaches taken range from diversion to probation. In all cases, however, successful completion means an alternative to going to jail and the chance to break the cycle of addiction.

Contact a criminal defense attorney

Being charged with a drug crime, whether or not it is your first offense, does not necessarily have to end in a jail sentence. With the growing emphasis on substance abuse treatment and other non-traditional approaches in the justice system, you may have options. Contact Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys in Minneapolis, MN, today to schedule a consultation with a criminal defense lawyer to discuss alternatives to incarceration that may be available to you.

Max Keller has won countless jury trial cases involving misdemeanors and felonies, sex crimes, and DWI’s. He is a member of the Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice, which only allows the top 50 criminal defense attorneys in the state as members. Max is a frequent speaker at CLE’s and is often asked for advice by other defense attorneys across Minnesota.

Years of Experience: Approx. 20 years
Minnesota Registration Status: Active
Bar & Court Admissions: State of Minnesota Minnesota State Court Minnesota Federal Court 8th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals State of Maryland

What to Do If You Have Been Charged with a Criminal Offense

How Long Do Police Have to File Drug Charges in Minnesota?

People facing arrests or under investigation for drug-related crimes often wonder: How long do police have to file drug charges in Minnesota? Once police officers conclude their investigations and arrest you for drug trafficking, the law bars them from holding you in custody for long. But, even if they can't keep you in jail, the Minnesota statute of limitations allows the prosecution to file the charges within three (3) years of arrest.

What Are the Long-Term Impacts of a 3rd degree DWI in Minnesota?

You might need to know the long-term impacts of a 3rd degree DWI if you have been arrested or charged with driving while impaired (DWI) in Minneapolis, MN. A 3rd-degree DWI conviction can affect you personally, professionally, socially, and financially. A DWI conviction carries consequences, such as paying huge fines, loss of income, paying higher insurance premiums, strained relationships, and reputation damage. Your driver’s and professional license may be suspended or revoked after you are charged or convicted of a DWI. You may also face a civil lawsuit, which costs you money in the form of financial compensation to the accident victim.

Will I Have to Register as a Sex Offender If Convicted?

One of the questions that people facing sex crime charges in Minnesota ask is: Will I have to register as a sex offender if convicted? You will most likely be required to register as a sex offender if convicted of a sex crime. Factors that determine sex offender registration include the nature and severity of the offense, aggravating factors, civil commitment, and risk level. You must register as a sex offender if you are relocating to Minnesota for school, work, or to live and have been convicted of sex crimes elsewhere.