Alternative sentencing includes all of the different types of punishment that a court can impose on a defendant after he or she is found to have committed a crime other than prison or the death penalty. These sentences offer the defendant the chance to avoid sentences that could ruin their life. It does not apply to everyone but only to those who have no criminal record and depends on the type of crime believed to have been committed by the suspect. The courts offer a kind of leniency through this practice and it can have a positive impact on an offender who feels as if he has been given a second chance. It especially happens to older and younger offenders. Alternative punishment is also called community punishment or non-custodial punishment, i.e. it aims to reform the accused and make right what he has done. This type of sentence includes various types which include fines, community service, apology to the complainant, suspended sentence, probation, curfew, judge may order restitution among others. This article will discuss non-custodial sentences, i.e. its types, advantages and disadvantages. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay First, fines in the form of money are a common type of non-custodial sentence. It applies in minor cases, such as speeding and parking fines. However, in criminal cases fines are applied as additional punishment, but this does not count as alternative punishment. Second, judges can also order restitution, meaning that the defendant will pay monetary compensation but, unlike fines that go to the government, the money compensates the plaintiff for damages caused by the offender . These damages may include medical expenses incurred by the complainant or property damage. Third, judges can order defendants to perform community service. It could include cleaning streets and highways. This may be a specific negotiated form of service, for example a person caught speeding and drink driving may be asked to give a talk to young people in the community about the dangers of speeding and drink driving inebriation. Furthermore, another type of community sentence is the suspended sentence in which the judge reads a sentence but does not carry it out. This is done mostly to first-time offenders and people who have committed minor crimes. In some cases, conditions are imposed along with these, such as completion of a substance abuse program. Additionally, probation can be another form of non-custodial sentencing. They represent the possibility that the accused must comply with certain conditions that have been imposed or risk going to prison when he acts contrary to the conditions. These conditions can be negotiated between defense lawyers and prosecutors. Furthermore, another form of this sentencing includes specific court orders and injunctions. In these directions a particular thing is given like the accused should not drink alcohol or should observe a distance of one meter from a particular person or place. Finally, other types of this form of sentencing include house arrest and curfew. In house arrest, the court can order a person to stay at home without leaving for a specific period of time which can be months or years. During the curfew, the accused is ordered to return home at a certain time, such as six in the evening. Restorative sentencing is another form of sentencing. The non-custodial sentence has some advantages. First, it reduces the costs incurred