Diversion and Community Alternative Programs
The goal of the Diversion and Community Alternative Programs Unit is to use special programs to rehabilitate non-violent offenders with little to no criminal history. The defendant who is accepted into the Pre-Trial Diversion Program must agree to complete programs or activities as a means of personalized rehabilitation. Upon completion of the programs / activities, the accused is eligible to have his/her case administratively dismissed by the Solicitor-General.
To avoid prosecution, offenders have to complete various requirements, which can include:
- Education aimed at preventing future offenses by the offender,
- Restitution to victims of the offense,
- Completion of community service hours, and
Avoiding situations for a specified period of time that may lead to committing another similar offense (such as contact with certain people).
Successful completion of the Diversion and Community Alternative Programs may result in a dismissal of the criminal charge and an agreement that the charge is eligible for expungement. When a case is expunged it is cleared or sealed from the defendant’s arrest record. Failure of the accused to complete the agreed upon program will result in the continuation of charges and prosecution of the case in court.
The different Diversion and Community Alternative Programs are:
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