STOCKTON, Calif. — An accused man facing more than four years in prison asked a San Joaquin County Superior Court judge Tuesday to place him in a treatment program instead, telling the court he wanted help and warning that sending him back to prison would make him more likely to reoffend. Judge Chrishna Martinez rejected the request, saying the severity of the case required a period “away from society.”
The accused, currently held in custody, faces charges including felony driving under the influence causing great bodily injury and misdemeanor second-degree burglary. There are enhancements for prior convictions that are numerous or of increasing severity.
The accused appeared in court to accept a plea deal offered by the district attorney’s office. Martinez reviewed the terms of the plea agreement, which called for a four-year, four-month prison sentence in addition to fines, restitution and programming to get his driver’s license back…