Diversion Unit

Many individuals charged with non-violent crimes have the potential to make changes in their lives and exit the criminal justice system for good.

The Circuit Attorney’s Office (CAO) has created diversion programs designed to give qualified individuals the opportunity to avoid the consequences of traditional criminal prosecution including a trial, conviction, criminal record, and incarceration.

Diversion programs save taxpayers money by allowing CAO and the courts to focus limited resources on the prosecution of violent offenders.

What is Diversion?

Diversion is a way to handle non-violent felony cases outside of the traditional prosecution model that typically involves a trial. Instead of being assigned to a prosecutor, these cases are assigned to an appropriate program and given a case manager within the Diversion Unit to assess their needs and support and monitor their progress.

Case managers work with participants to develop an individualized support plan. That plan seeks to bolster and/or foster positive social support with family, friends, and the community, and access community resources for housing, mental health and crisis intervention, and support for career and educational goals.

The CAO offers diversion programs for:

Young adults ages 18-25;
Individuals with little or no criminal history;
Individuals with a criminal history more than five years old;
Individuals who deserve another chance; and
Individuals who have never had the opportunity to participate in diversion.

Diversion programs last between six and 18 months. Upon successful completion of the diversion program, the individual’s case may be dismissed, allowing the participant to avoid a conviction. Alternately, the participant may be put on a one-day probation and immediately discharged allowing immediate resolution of the case.