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

This diversion program is for offenders charged with sections of Arizona Revised Statutes §13-2910 (A) which involve the abuse or neglect of an animal. Eligible offenders must complete AniCare to have their charges dismissed. AniCare is a treatment program developed by the Animal and Society Institute (ASI).

First, we use a community-based provider to perform treatment services. Second, we do not utilize community supervision staff to monitor diversion defendants. We rely upon the community-based provider to track and report to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office the progress defendants make on their treatment plans. Third, diversion defendants are responsible for paying assessment and treatment costs. Most defendants are eligible for Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS - Arizona’s version of Medicaid) and AHCCCS pays for their assessment and treatment costs. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has received American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to help offset the costs (assessment, treatment and drug testing) incurred by non-AHCCCS eligible defendants. A sliding scale has been developed to determine fees defendants must pay. The scale is based upon the Federal Poverty Level.

Once a Deputy County Attorney (DCA) offers diversion to a defendant, staff from the Diversion Strategies Group (DSG) work with defense attorneys, the providers 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 felony charges. DSG staff salaries and operating costs are paid by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO) not the defendants. No MCAO funds are used to pay for defendant treatment.