Is Drug Rehab a Sentencing Option for You?
If you have been arrested for a drug crime, drug rehab may be a sentencing option for you. With drug possession in Oklahoma reduced to a misdemeanor, many people are staying out of jail by agreeing to attend rehabilitation or treatment programs.
How Do You Get Into Rehab Instead of Jail?
People who are interested in and motivated to attend a rehab program for drugs and/or alcohol have a few options for requesting this sentence. First, and least riskily, you can retain an experienced local lawyer to negotiate with the prosecutor for a deal. This deal could require you to plead guilty to the drug crime (or to a lesser drug crime) in exchange for your commitment to attend rehab. You may get to choose the program you attend, or you may be required to attend drug court or another local rehabilitation option.
Second, you could attempt to negotiate with the prosecutor yourself. Without knowledge of the laws and sentencing options, you may have trouble getting a good deal. Or the prosecutor might decide that he or she can get a conviction, and reject any plea deals. Third, you could plead guilty and tell the judge at sentencing that you want to go to rehab. This option is the most risky because the judge could simply refuse. The best option is getting a lawyer from the start.
If You Go to Rehab, Will You Still Face Other Penalties for the Drug Crime?
Yes, you could face other penalties for the drug crime even if you agree to go to rehab. For example, you may need to:
- Pay fines
- Pay court costs
- Report to a probation officer
- Take drug and alcohol tests
- Participate in more classes or programs after you finish rehab
Your lawyer may be able to negotiate these penalties with the prosecutor, but there is no guarantee that you will avoid them. Fortunately, rehab is helpful for many people, and after you complete all requirements you may be able to put your arrest behind you.
If you need representation in an Oklahoma court for a drug charge, seek out a knowledgeable local attorney. Clint Patterson, Esq., of Patterson Law Firm, a former Tulsa prosecutor, now uses his trial experience to help Oklahomans. To schedule a case evaluation, visit Patterson Law Firm online or call Clint’s office at (918) 550-9175.