Take court-ordered community service seriously

Judges often have considerable leeway when they’re handing down sentences in criminal matters. While there are some crimes that are serious and require a person to serve time behind bars, there are other options that judges have for less serious crimes.

One option that might be possible in some cases is community service. This gives the defendant a chance to serve the people in their area as a way to atone for their crimes. The court may order this type of sentence alone, but it is usually combined with other sentence types.

The terms of court-ordered community service can vary greatly. Some people will just be given a specific number of hours they need to serve. They then report to a location that is approved to accept community service to complete their time. In some instances, the judge will order a specific type of service. For example, a person who is convicted of drunk driving might have to participate in programs to discourage others to drink and drive.

It is imperative that anyone who has to do community service takes this part of their sentence seriously. Failing to do it could lead to you being held in contempt of court, which can lead to more legal issues. When you do your hours, make sure that you have proof that you served the time and report it to the court as you’re instructed to do so.

When you’re thinking about your criminal case, think about all the possible sentence possibilities that are present. This might help you to formulate a strategy for your defense.