Supervised Diversion – DA's Office Center for Prevention & Restorative Justice
Description
How long has the program been operating? show all options
4-10 years
At what stage of the process does the diversion program occur? show all options
After the case is filed/charged, but before the defendant enters a plea
What population is your program intended to serve? show all options
People arrested for the first time
People arrested with a particular offense
People with mental health disorders
People with substance use disorders
People under 18 years old
"Targets juveniles and transition-aged youth, but open to all ages"
How are participants identified for the diversion program? show all options
Automatic based on offense charge
Referral from intake staff to diversion staff
Line prosecutor who receives case decides about diversion
Are there any factors specific to your jurisdiction that influence how you structure this diversion program? show all options
Diversion program authorized/mandated by state law
Fees required by state law
"We receive some grant funding that create some requirements for our programs. Additionally, many of the great programs we have in Colorado are funded by court fees and surcharges following convictions or deferred sentences such as our drug offender surcharges which funds treatment funding, and victim services fees that fund many of our services available for victims. Thus, by diverting a high number of cases, we are depleting these other resources relied upon by our office."
Does your office have informal or written policies about this diversion program's criteria/eligibility? show all options
Yes
If applicable, please describe the diversion program's criteria/eligibility.
"Adults:
Target:
First felony offense (rare misdo accepted)limited prior history
Defendant MUST be accepting responsibilityand must agree to restitution when applicable
All ageswith target of 18 to 25-year-old young adults
Exclusions:
F1sF2sDVchild abusesexual offenseswitness intimidation or retaliationstalkingviolation of bond or protection ordershigh-level arsonanimal crueltyand traffic offenses
High criminogenic risk
Individuals currently on probation or other supervision
Juveniles:
Target:
All juvenile cases reviewed for diversion (over 50% cases diverted)
Juvenile MUST be accepting responsibilityand must agree to restitution when applicable
Moderate or low criminogenic risk
Exclusions:
F1sF2ssexual assault involving penetrationstalkinghigh-level arsontraffic offensesand animal cruelty
High criminogenic risk
Juveniles on probation or paroleor with lengthy or serious history"
What are the programmatic options and/or requirements for the diversion? show all options
Receive behavioral health assessment
Attend behavioral health intervention
Attend programming that is not a behavioral health intervention
Pay restitution
Pay fines or fees
"Diversion case coordination including risk, need, responsivity, and strength screening and assessment; individualized case plan to match community-based services, interventions, and treatment as indicated to drive down risk and address underlying needs; restitution required
Harm reduction approach (no specific treatment modality required for BH, individual participates in goal setting)
Restorative justice practices to support meaningful accountability, victim-centeredness, and harm repair
(NO RJ processes in DV or SA cases)
*diversion supervision fee is often waived to $0"
How does the diversion program impact your office's resources? show all options
Program generates revenue for the office through fines and/or fees
Programmatic costs are covered by prosecutor’s office
Programmatic costs are grant funded (including federal, state, local, or private funds)