San Diego County Criminal Defense Legal Blog

First-time convictions for a criminal misdemeanor or felony can result in jail or prison time, fines, and other penalties, including a criminal record that could follow you for the rest of your life. However, the courts understand that many first-time offenders suffer from addictions and other mental health issues. California pretrial diversion programs give eligible defendants a chance to avoid jail time if they can successfully complete treatment and education courses. These diversion programs can help you avoid a criminal conviction by providing you with the necessary treatment to avoid becoming a repeat offender. The 3 Types of Diversion Programs in California A pretrial diversion program provides an alternative to criminal prosecution. Instead of the defendant going through a trial,…

Similar to other specialized court systems, such as drug courts and veteran’s courts, California’s Behavioral Health court program is an alternative to navigating the criminal justice system for people with behavioral health problems. Behavioral health courts were developed in response to the inability of traditional courts to address a defendant’s underlying mental illness. Behavioral health courts are designed to bridge systems and agencies. The criminal justice system was not designed to provide mental health treatment. Rather its primary purpose is to ensure public safety, promote justice, punish, and prevent criminal behavior. The mental health system, in contrast, focuses on the treatment of public health, mental illness, and harm reduction. Behavioral or mental health courts attempt to coordinate these responses under…

When California enacted the Realignment Program in 2011, it was intended to reduce overcrowding in state prisons and alleviate the devastating financial burden on taxpayers. This program also sought to improve public safety by diverting low-level offenders into local communities and providing them with rehabilitative services. The goal of the Realignment Program is to make California safer by reducing recidivism rates and improving rehabilitation opportunities. This program has had a huge impact on inmates, their families, and local communities. What Is the California Realignment Program? California’s Realignment Program is a reentry program designed to reduce the overall prison population. The goal of this program is to help low-level offenders serve their time in a local jail and reduce the jail…

Veterans court in California is a court program that provides veterans with alternative sentencing. The individual’s crimes must be proven as coinciding with mental health issues, sexual trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, substance abuse issues, and the result of a person’s military service. In California, the qualified veteran undergoes treatment in place of jail time for their criminal convictions. If you are a military veteran facing charges for a criminal offense, attorney Dod Ghassemkhani and our legal team can defend you in the courtroom. Continue reading to learn more about veterans court and how our legal team can provide the legal representation you need. How Do I Know If I Qualify for Veterans Court? For a military veteran…

California’s Mental Health Diversion Program has been around since its official start in 2018. This program aims to keep individuals with mental health issues away from arrests and incarceration when facing convictions for low-level offenses. The diversion from incarceration and severe penalties for the individuals who qualify help them receive needed treatment and prevent future illegal activity. At Dod Law, our experienced legal team is here to help those that need legal representation in San Diego and have a history of mental illness. California’s program helps those that need mental health treatment as a solution, rather than unjust incarceration for their wrongdoings. Continue reading to learn more about California’s Mental Health Diversion Program and how an experienced lawyer can help…