OFFENDERS: JAO works with adults and juveniles who have been charged with the commission of misdemeanor or felony law violations.  All offenders with an arguable history of mitigating circumstance (as defined by Florida Statutes 921.00016(4) and 921.0026) qualify for JAO sentencing advocacy.

RECIDIVISM: At JAO, we believe the potential for recidivism is higher in those individuals who have merely been punished than in those who were helped to realize their personal aspirations.

OPPORTUNITY: At JAO, we belief that an arrest signals an opportunity to help someone to make better choices in life from that day forward.

SOLUTION: At JAO, we belief that society’s response to criminal conduct should be cost-effective and constructive. Reduction in crime is not achieved through incarceration alone. Comprehensive analysis of prior challenges and circumstance, coupled with appropriate treatment and supportive services, can result in a more productive citizen, reduction in jail and prison overcrowding, and fewer new law violations.

What We Offer:

Sentencing Advocacy: At JAO we specialize in facilitating plea negotiation, and alternative sentencing. We do this by spending many hours of investigation and document review.  We interview the client, family members and others with pertinent information about mitigating circumstance and the client’s history.

We perform and analyze extensive bio-psycho-social histories and functional assessments of our clients, allowing us to determine when, where and why the client has had prior success or significant challenge, and what skills the client can likely utilize in the future.  We investigate the potential contribution of mitigating factors.  This information is compiled into a report with detailed references and a list of potential expert, and other witnesses.

We design strategies that maximize the client’s potential for success. We help the client to define roles, issues and the goals they are most motivated to address.  We apply the new strategies to the now defined aspirations and determine what supports are needed to keep the client focused, motivated, and productive in the pursuit of his or her goals.  This information is compiled into a proposal for alternative sentencing with detailed recommendations for treatment and/or supportive services, and a list of relevant contacts.

The report and proposal are submitted to the defense counsel.  If counsel prefers, the report and proposal may be made available to the court for consideration in ordering an alternative to, or reduction in term of, incarceration.