Being arrested and charged with a crime is devastating to an individual’s life and livelihood. In many cases, criminal allegations are the catalyst for an uncertain future and loss of academic and professional opportunities. However, there are often alternatives available to help defendants rebuild their lives, rather than allowing their lives, and that of their loved ones, suffer from a poor decision. One example is that of rehabilitation. While many debate the effectiveness of rehabilitation as opposed to incarceration or other sentences, there are many success stories of individuals who have been able to turn their lives around and build a promising future.
One example of the above has been highlighted in the media across Georgia lately. The recent story focuses on a man who was arrested in 1983 on felony drug charges after he became addicted to prescription drugs while working as a pharmacist. An investigation by the DEA indicated that he was a significant source of illegal drug traffic, even though he was the one using the drugs. After being arrested, the man went through extreme withdrawals, which required that he be hospitalized. The court sent him to an Atlanta area rehabilitation facility where he stayed for four months before appearing in court again.
After completing the rehabilitation program, the man appeared before a Floyd County Superior Court, where he was warned that he should expect to be sent back to jail. After several hours, the judge decided to give the man a chance to prove that he had truly been rehabilitated. No longer allowed to return to pharmacist duties, the man decided to dedicate his life to helping others. The judge agreed and released the man with five years of probation instead of sending him back to jail.
In the 30 years that have passed since the case began, the man once addicted to drugs has regained his pharmacist license, obtained an education, became a published author, and is a respected professor at the University of Georgia (UGA). He also speaks to at risk students offering wisdom and knowledge regarding drug use, rehabilitation, and the importance of making positive changes in one’s life. According to the man discussed in this story, the world is a surprising place after completing rehabilitation, and the possibilities are endless.
Find out What Alternatives May be Available to You
While there remains a great deal of speculation regarding the effectiveness of alternative sentences and rehabilitation for criminal offenders, stories like this one prove that there is hope for people to break the cycle of addiction and become positive contributors to society. One of the most important steps in this process is securing a proper support system, including proper legal representation, in order to examine all possible options and alternatives.
At Abt Law Firm, LLC, we understand how difficult it is to manage the strain of criminal allegations, the court process, and all the possible outcomes. We pride ourselves on offering competent, aggressive legal representation to our clients in Atlanta, and all across the state. We also gladly offer convenience, and are available 24/7 to answer your questions or offer guidance. If you want to know more about the alternatives you may qualify for, call Abt Law Firm, LLC right now at (678) 582-2272 to schedule a free consultation. If you are incarcerated, we will gladly come to the jail to meet with you, or consult with you over the telephone. If you are able to come to our office, we also can schedule a consultation with our criminal defense attorney.