Maybe you diverted a little money from your employer’s account to pay the bills because all your money went for drugs – or maybe you were caught driving under the influence because you’d convinced yourself that you drive better drunk than sober.
Either way, drug or alcohol use has gotten you into a serious jam and you’re headed to court in the future. Will it make any difference to your case if you go to rehab first?
It might help persuade the court to be lenient
Even if you intend to plead “no contest” or “guilty,” (or you’ve already entered a plea and are just awaiting sentencing), going into rehab ahead of your court date isn’t the worst idea.
In many cases, the court has a considerable amount of discretionary power when it comes to sentencing, and any mitigating factors you can offer may affect the outcome of your case in a positive way. If your drug addiction or alcoholism was “fuel on the fire” of your actions and ultimately affected your judgment, going into rehab can:
- Show the court that you now recognize that you have an underlying problem that needs to be treated. That’s accepting responsibility for your issues, not making excuses.
- Illustrate your commitment to improving your situation and avoiding recidivism. Judges are often concerned about a defendant’s likelihood to reoffend, but entering rehab can show that you intend to walk the “straight and narrow” from this point forward.
- Demonstrate your remorse. To be perfectly clear, rehab – whether inpatient or outpatient – is not an easy thing to do. Voluntarily compliance with the abrupt restrictions on your life helps drive home the idea that you are genuinely sorry for your actions.
There are few guarantees in criminal cases, but taking a proactive stance about the issues that led to your legal troubles is never a negative – either for your personal well-being or your future in court. Legal guidance can help you learn more.
