City of Knoxville - City Court Alternative Sentencing

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Alternative Sentencing

Alternative sentencing is used at the discretion of the Court when a defendant appears in Court. If the defendant has a good driving history or no criminal history, then the Court may award the defendant with an alternative sentence. Alternative sentencing may include the following:

Traffic School

The Traffic School program provides classroom education regarding the "rules of the road." Defendants may be eligible to attend traffic school as an alternative sentence. When a defendant completes the school, the violation cited for will not become a part of his/her permanent record. Defendants must have a valid drivers license to be eligible to attend.

Alcohol Server Knowledge Program

In Tennessee, persons convicted of selling and/or serving alcohol to underaged persons are prohibited from working in a business that sells alcohol for a period of ten years. The Alcohol Server Knowledge (ASK) Program is an alternative sentence for first-time offenders cited for selling or serving alcohol to underaged persons. Upon completion of the ASK program, the defendant must reappear before the Judge to produce the certificate in order to have his/her case dismissed. It does not become a part of the defendant's permanent record.

Youth Substance Abuse Program

Persons convicted of underaged consumption of alcohol automatically lose their driving privileges for a period up to one year. As an alternative sentence, defendants may be entitled to attend the Youth Substance Abuse (YSAP) Program. Upon successful completion of YSAP, a defendant must reappear before the Judge to have his/her case dismissed. This program is not an option for repeat offenders.