Jail Alternatives

DUI Jail Alternatives in California

Call Us Today at (866) 306-5306 for a Free Consultation

DUI Jail Alternatives in California

Call Us Today at (866) 306-5306 for a Free Consultation

Aspen Law Group's Jail Alternative Process

There are various alternative to jail for your 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or felony DUI in California. However, you will not be made automatically eligible for these jail alternatives. You will need to be proactive. At Aspen Law Group, we have a multiple offender outline / felony offender outline that will instruct you on what you need to do to prep your case so that when the time comes, you're eligible for alternatives to jail. Without proper preparation, especially on more serious DUI cases, you'll likely not be eligible for jail alternatives. Call 866-306-5306 for more information.

Will I Automatically Get a Jail Alternative

In most cases and courts all over California, the simple answer is NO. In Orange County, for example, DA's will default to jail each and every time. You have to follow our instructions so that when the case is presented to and negotiated with the judge, we can convince him to grant you alternatives to jail. ​

In addition, alternatives to jail are a privilege and not a right. As stated above, your case will have to be properly prepared in order to be eligible for alternatives to jail You will have to abide by the terms of whatever program your attorney is able to negotiate. 

In most jurisdictions, you will have to pass a drug test in order to be accepted into such alternatives. This includes marijuana and other controlled painkillers even if you have a prescription. Speak to an attorney at 866-306-5306 for more information.

Jail Alternatives in California

​Work Furlough Program

There are two different kinds of work furlough programs depending on the county where you obtained your DUI charge. 


Community Work Program

  • Community work programs are most often times found in Northern California.  In this instance, you're required to do day labor via the Sheriff's department.  This can either be on weekends or during the week, depending how long your sentence is and what is negotiated with the court.  In these programs, you can spend your evenings at your home.​

Pay to Stay Work Furlough

  • A pay to stay program is done though your local police department.  This is most common in Southern California.  Essentially, you go to work during the day and spend the night in a private, non-violent offender jail or police run hotel.  It's called pay to stay, because the majority of these programs charge a fee ranging from $75 to $175 dollars per night.  Getting this type of jail alternative is not easy and is usually reserved for very serious 3rd or 4th offense DUIs.  Most attorneys aren't even familiar with this type of jail alternative.

Secure Continuance Remote Alcohol Monitoring

Scram is Secure Continuance Remote Alcohol Monitoring.  It's essentially an ankle bracelet you wear that tests the skin for alcohol  It can be used to dramatically decrease if not eliminate jail for your case.  You can go everywhere you want to while you wear this device, but you can't drink.

Electronic Monitoring or House Arrest

House arrest is when you wear a bracelet that restricts your movements during certain times of day.  In most instances, you're allowed to go to work while wearing this device.  This is not an alternative to jail that is automatically given.  Your attorney has to properly prepare your case in order to be eligible for such an alternative to jail.


Serious prior criminal history or failure to pass a drug screening will automatically render you ineligible for house arrest.  Speak to an attorney at 866-306-5306 for more information.

​DUI COURT

DUI Court is a very intensive court monitored rehabilitation program. It is out patient and is only offered in a few counties across California.


DUI Court is the least appealing option for jail alternatives because it's costly, intrusive, and if you can't abide by DUI court's rules, you'll be sent directly to jail without the ability for an attorney to get you alternative sentencing.  It can last for years, occur during work hours, and takes a lot of effort on the part of the client.

​Residential Treatment / Sober Living

There are two kinds of in patient rehab programs.  Either one, needs to be vetted by the court and aggressively negotiated for by your attorney and is reserved for only the most serious DUI offenses.  The costs can rage from free to over 45k per month depending on the facility.  Some facilities allow you to work, while others do not.  You'll need to speak to an attorney who knows what programs are available.   Rehab / Sober living is never automatically offered for any DUI client.  Your attorney will have to convince the judge to let you do this type of program for your DUI case.


​Sober Living

  • Sober living is when you live in a sober living house, run by an agency, for your sentence.  In most cases, you're allowed to go to work in this type of program.

Residential Treatment Program

  • Residential Treatment Program is a state certified treatment program.  The cost for this type of program ranges.  Some are free while others, like the Betty Ford Clinic, can cost tens of thousands per month.  Some programs allow you to work, while others are "locked down" and do not permit the patient to work.  This type of jail alternative is for serious DUIs that face 9 months if not years in state prison.

With circumstances this serious, you need an attorney highly skilled in DUI Jail Alternatives.  Call 866-306-5306 for more information.

Multiple Offense DUI Attorney

Aspen Law Group has successfully represented thousands of clients accused of a 2nd offense DUI. 3rd DUI, and 4th Offense Felony DUI. We're ready and willing to do what it takes to ensure the jail time you face is minimized. For more information, call 866-306-5306 for a free, and highly informative consultation.

Free Consultation, Affordable Services

We understand that many people may be reluctant to contact a lawyer because they’re worried they won’t be able to afford the fees. They may be tempted to try to handle their legal matter themselves, but that’s often a recipe for a less-than-desirable outcome. Aspen Law Group has successfully represented thousands of clients accused of multiple DUI offenses. We're ready and willing to do what it takes to ensure the jail time you face is minimized. 
That’s why Aspen Law Group offers a free consultation about your case so that you can tell your story, learn your options, and discover how we can help.
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