Promote the efficient use of prosecutorial resources, hold defendants accountable for criminal conduct and mitigate the collateral consequences of a criminal conviction.

Defendants are assessed using the Texas Christian University (TCU) Drug Screen V. Those with a substance use disorder (SUD) are assigned a SUD class and those not to having a SUD are assigned a cognitive behavioral class.

First, we use a community-based provider to deliver the education classes. Second, instead of utilizing community supervision staff to monitor diversion defendants., we rely upon the community-based provider to track and report to us whether defendants attend and complete their assigned education class. Third, diversion defendants are responsible for paying assessment, and education costs. Fourth, recently the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has received American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to help offset defendant costs (intake and education).

Complete one of two eight-hour classes involving topics related to either substance use disorder or cognitive behavioral education.

Education class is 8 hours and defendant must complete the class within 90 days of accepting diversion.

Once a Deputy County Attorney (DCA) offers diversion to a defendant, staff from the Diversion Strategies Group (DSG) work with defense attorneys, the provider and sometimes the defendant to get them enrolled and then discharged. If the defendant unsuccessfully completes the diversion program, then DSG staff work with the respective DCA to re-instate their misdemeanor charges. DSG staff salaries and operating costs are paid by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO) not the defendants. ARPA funding is used to help offset defendant costs (intake and education). No MCAO funds are used to pay for defendant education classes.