Sentencing options have expanded significantly in recent decades, especially as awareness of effective rehabilitation and deterrence methods grows. Incarceration and probation used to be the primary penalties imposed on those convicted of crimes, and those two options were limited in effectiveness and also very costly. Now, judges are using alternative sentencing options such as mental health or substance abuse treatment and electronic home confinement to impose more tailored sentences on certain offenders.
Reduced sentences for drug, DUII convictions come with conditions
Very often in cases involving drunk-driving or drug charges, defendants are able to avoid the full weight of a conviction and its maximum penalties by agreeing to participate in a diversion program. Oregon's diversion programs, which may require substance abuse treatment, attendance of a victims impact panel and community service, are designed to prevent defendants from committing the same crime again. In exchange for successful completion of the program, a defendant's conviction will be dismissed.
