Court Diversion

A person referred to Diversion:

• chooses whether to participate or not – participation is voluntary, 
• admits responsibility for his/her actions, 
• meets with a board of community volunteers and completes a contract designed to repair the harm done to the victim and the larger community, and address underlying factors in the individual’s life that contributed to the crime, 
• pays a fee, and 
• avoids a permanent criminal record if s/he completes the program successfully. 

Other key aspects of Diversion: 

• Victims’ views are heard and reflected in the contract developed by the Review Board and participant 
• Case managers support participants through the process to successful completion 

If an individual does not complete the contract, the case is returned to the state’s attorney for prosecution.