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Lake Havasu City Jail Work Release Program

Posted by Shawn B. Hamp | Jan 12, 2016 | 0 Comments

Lake Havasu City Jail Offers DUI Work Release Program

The Lake Havasu City Police Department (LHCPD) is in charge of administrating the Lake Havasu City Jail Facility.  Inmates that are housed at the Lake Havasu City jail include suspects who are arrested for committing crimes, or defendants who are ordered to serve a jail sentence from a case pending in the Lake Havasu City Consolidated Court.

Criminal cases that are handled by the Lake Havasu City Consolidated Court include misdemeanorssuch as Domestic Violence or Driving Under the Influence.  If convicted for one of these offenses a sentence could include substantial jail time.  If the jail sentence is longer than 48 hours , the judge could make the defendant eligible for work release.

Eligibility for Work Release

To be eligible for work release is a two step process.  First the judge must make the defendant eligible for work release at sentencing.  A defendant must request that they be eligible to be considered. If a defendant is required to serve a jail sentence over 48 hours (a typical sentence in many serious DUI cases) then a judge may order them to be eligible and will indicate that on the commitment order.

The second part of the process is to apply with the Court and the Jail to approve the work release schedule.  A defendant will have to get an employer verified schedule submitted to the Court prior to the defendant beginning their sentence date on the commitment order issued by the judge.  Failing to provide an employer verified work schedule will result in disqualification for the work release program.

Rules for the Lake Havasu City Jail Facility

Both the Mohave County Jail and the Lake Havasu City Jail Facility have work release programs.  As far as flexibility in accommodating defendant's with their work schedule and overall conditions of the jail, Lake Havasu is the preference for most defendants who have to serve jail time.

Below is a summary of the work release program guidelines.  A complete copy of the work release program can be downloaded at this link LHC_Jail_Inmate_Work_Release_Forms.

  • The prisoner work release program is granted by the court and administered by the Lake Havasu City Police Department.  In order to maintain program eligibility all facility rules and regulations must be complied with.
  • An inmate participating in the program may be terminated at any time by the Lake Havasu City Jail Detention Supervisor for medical reasons, disciplinary reasons, or violations of City Jail rules.  If that occurs, the inmate could be transported to the custody of the Mohave County Jail in Kingman or the the La Paz County Jail in Parker Arizona for the remaining term of their sentence.
  • Sentenced inmates are allowed out of custody for the work release program for five days per week not to exceed 40 hours per week.  Under some circumstances and inmate may be allowed out for more than 12 hours per day and up to six days a week.
  • Work release eligible inmates must submit to the courts for a judge's approval an employer verified schedule signed by their employer.
  • Work release inmates must check into the facility on their first day at 6:00am.
  • All inmates may be subjected to random searches at the correctional facility at anytime.
  • Discipline infractions could result in being removed from the Lake Havasu City Jail Work Release Program.
  • Contraband is considered anything not issued or authorized by the jail staff, or any item used in a way other than its intended purpose.  Anything considered contraband can be confiscated and could result in losing work release eligibility.
  • Inmates may be subject to random onsite work inspections to determine compliance with program.
  • All inmates are given a breathalyzer test prior to accepting them into the program on the first day and randomly tested after that.  Any positive reading will result in termination or acceptance into the program.

Items Authorized By the Work Release Program

  • Undergarments (t-shirts, sweatshirt with no hood or design logos)
  • Reading Material (up to 4 books, magazines, or newspapers)
  • Personal Letters
  • Eye Glasses (1 pair prescription only)
  • Personal Hygiene Items (shampoo, razor, deodorant, contact solution)
  • Legal Papers
  • Envelopes (up to 20, pre-stamped)
  • Stationary (1 table, pencil)
  • Hair Brush or Comb (plastic, no longer than 6 inches)
  • Tooth brush and Toothpaste
  • Soap

All authorized prescription medication must be appropriately dated, medically prescribed for current conditions, and kept stored inside a labeled packaged and must be approved and locked and stored by staff.

Inmates are allowed to bring 1 personal blanket, pillow, towel and toiletries.

Plan Ahead

 If you believe that you will be required to do a substantial jail sentence for a misdemeanor offense plan ahead if you intend to be eligible for the work release program.  Talk with your attorney about the requirements and make sure you get approval for work release by the Court before you start your commitment date.

About the Author

Shawn B. Hamp

President and lead counsel for The Hamp Law Offices, LLC (An Arizona Professional Corporation), Shawn Hamp has practiced law for more than 15 years with an emphasis in criminal law. An experienced trial attorney, Mr. Hamp has been lead counsel in hundreds of criminal trials and court...

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