New Jersey offers several programs to help eligible defendants avoid jail time, particularly first-time offenders or those charged with non-violent crimes.

Pretrial Intervention (PTI)

• Available for first-time offenders facing certain felony charges.
• Requires completing probation-like conditions (e.g., community service, counseling).
• Successful completion results in dismissed charges.

Drug Court Program

• Designed for defendants facing drug-related charges.
• Requires addiction treatment and strict court supervision.
• Completion leads to reduced charges or case dismissal.

Probation Instead of Jail

• Defendants may be sentenced to probation instead of incarceration.
• Requires compliance with court conditions, such as drug testing or employment.

House Arrest & Electronic Monitoring

• Some defendants may serve their sentence at home under GPS monitoring.
• Often used for non-violent offenders.