Q: can a person with no priors, not an addict, be forced into impatient rehab based on an officer judging her looks?
She has Excema, and an officer suggested she go into a rehab facility based on her skin condition that day. No prior arrests, and she isn’t an addict. Was only charged with misdemeanor possession bc it was at her friends that she lives with. This is unfair and unconstitutional.
A: If the charge for misdemeanor possession sticks, then a judge could easily order that she report to a rehab facility. The decision would be made on the charge and conviction and not necessarily on her looks. If she has no priors, then it would be in her best interests to obtain a criminal defense attorney to try to get her pre-trial diversion. If she cannot afford an attorney, a public defender or other attorney can be appointed to represent her.
A:
I don't think you have a complete understanding as to what is going
on in the criminal matter you have questioned. A law enforcement officer
has no authority to compel an individual into residential rehabilitation. From what little facts you have given I will guess that that at some court
appearance on the drug case a recommendation was made
for residential treatment. Usually those recommendations
come from defense counsel, the prosecutor, or the probation
department. Only the judge can impose residential treatment
as a condition of a pre-trial release or a condition of a sentence.
If the defendant has an attorney the attorney should investigate
the need for residential treatment and be prepared to show
the judge the treatment is or is not necessary.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
