VAN NUYS, Calif. – A prosecutor pushed Tuesday to keep a woman in county jail for a probation violation, but a judge released her on her own recognizance after noting she had already served nearly as much time as the sentence would require. The judge also cited her past trauma and opportunities for rehabilitation programs in multiple counties.
The woman, who was in custody and assisted by an attorney, spoke on her own behalf. She told the court she had already appeared multiple times on this case and acknowledged she had been given several chances. She said she was determined to better herself.
She explained she had been transferred from San Bernardino County, where a warrant awaited her return, and that she would have the chance to enter a drug court program there.
She said that after returning to San Bernardino County, she would be eligible to participate in a program in Orange County. Upon completing that program, she would return to San Bernardino to finish the court drug program.
Deputy Public Defender Alexandra Viksman said her client had already been in custody for more than 300 days on this case.
Judge Alan Schneider noted the court would normally recommend a 16-month sentence. With 300 days of credits, however, the woman would only have to serve a few more months in jail.
Schneider said the court was inclined to revoke the woman’s probation and release her on her own recognizance so she could complete programs in San Bernardino and Orange counties. Upon completion, her probation would be reinstated and allowed to terminate naturally.
Deputy District Attorney Jane Creighton argued the court had given the woman too many chances and had never punished her for violating agreements.
Creighton urged the court to keep the woman in custody for the remainder of the sentence and said she could complete programs after her release.
Citing time already spent in custody, “significant trauma” she had faced earlier in life, and the fact that the crime was not particularly serious, Schneider followed his inclination and released the woman.
The court set a return date of Nov. 20.
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