What is the Advantage of a Diversion Program?
Offenders who complete a pretrial diversion program avoid having a criminal conviction on their record. They are also able to make amends to victims and the community in a meaningful way. Through the diversion process, people can learn from their experience and are less likely to break the law again.
Do Diversion Programs Provide a Positive Alternative to Incarceration?
Yes. Pretrial diversion programs focus on providing a reasonable alternative to jail. One of the main benefits of diversion is tighter control over non-incarcerated offenders. However, offenders deemed too dangerous for traditional probation are not eligible for diversion.
Who is Eligible for a Diversion Program?
For a defendant to be eligible for a pretrial diversion program, he or she must meet the following conditions:
- No felony convictions within the past 5 years
- No convictions of a crime making them ineligible for diversion within the past 5 years
- Current criminal charges don't involve violence or threats
Are There Disadvantages of Pretrial Diversion Programs?
In some cases, yes. When diversion programs fail, individuals suffer, tax dollars are wasted, victimization is increased, and the system loses credibility. In some cases, diversion can be more expensive than normal processing, because offenders have to be reprocessed and potentially incarcerated at a later date.
What Happens if I Get Kicked Out of a Diversion Program?
Once a person is removed from a pretrial diversion program, the prosecution of their case will resume. Defendants will get a new arraignment date, and their case will proceed traditionally. They may enter into a plea bargain or even take their case to trial.
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