The legal team at MML Law deal with a comprehensive range of crimes in any given year, from the seemingly trivial all the way up to the most serious of them all, and one of the first questions a potential client will ask is “am I going to prison for this?”. And as you might expect, the general answer will be along the lines of “it depends”. As always, a number of variables will inevitably come into play.
Perhaps the only relative certainty involves a conviction for murder, which would usually carry a mandatory life sentence. There could be, however, recommended minimum terms spent in jail as a result. For other crimes, the sentencing that could result from a guilty verdict can vary dramatically. As a general rule, a custodial sentence is considered to be the worst possible outcome, but it’s important to remember it’s not the only one available to a judge, a sheriff or a jury.
If you’re facing a criminal charge, there could be a variety of potential sentences, many of which don’t involve jail at all. You could, for example, be ordered to undergo some form of addiction treatment, such as a rehabilitation programme. In certain cases of sexual crime, those found guilty may be placed on the Sex Offenders Register, while confiscation of assets may be imposed in cases such as theft or fraud.
Would community service be more suitable for your situation?
For less serious crimes, a court may order the individual to undergo some form of community service. This takes the form of unpaid work that benefits the community itself, such as maintaining footpaths, redecorating public function rooms, making furniture for schools, clearing drains and more. This is usually measured in hours as defined in the sentence itself.
Some convicted criminals are given an alternative to jail in the form of wearing an electronic tag. This is a way of keeping the individual away from certain areas, for example, or making sure they remain at home during certain periods of the day or night. Tags, usually worn on the ankle, emit a radio signal on a regular basis, in the process providing information about the person’s whereabouts.
When you engage the services of a criminal law specialist, he or she will explain clearly and concisely the position that you’re in and the potential sentences that could be imposed in the courts. For many of our clients, the uncertainty about the future makes the situation more intimidating and of course more frightening. Our aim, as always, will be to provide a calming influence, and to point out all the potential scenarios that could develop.
MML Law’s skilled, experienced team of legal specialists will do all it can to help you in your hour of need, and to work towards the best possible outcome for your specific case. To find out more about our services, all it takes is a single phone call. We’re available right now on 01382 206000, so get in touch today. We hope to be talking with you very soon.