What is a drug diversion program?

A drug diversion program is an alternative to traditional criminal prosecution available to those accused of committing certain drug-related crimes in California. Drug diversion programs focus on rehabilitation instead of punishment, allowing the offender to take part in an educational or treatment program in order to recover from their drug use and avoid a criminal conviction. Upon successful completion of a drug diversion program, the offender may be eligible for a dismissal of their criminal charges or reduced penalties, such as probation and/or community service. The California Penal Code section 1000 provides that drug diversion can replace imprisonment if a person meets specific criteria and successfully completes the program requirements. At the same time, drug diversions can involve a variety of different components, including substance abuse treatment, education and counseling, drug testing, and personal responsibility classes. In order to qualify for a drug diversion program the offender must have no prior criminal record and must not have committed a violent crime. Additionally, the offender must be willing to admit to the drug crime they are accused of and must enter a plea of guilty to the charge. Drug diversion programs are an important part of California drug crime laws, allowing those accused of drug crimes to reform and re-enter society with a clean record while helping prevent recidivism.

Related FAQs

What are the effects of drug abuse?
What are the defense strategies for drug charges?
What is the difference between a deferred adjudication and probation?
What is the role of the jury in a drug trial?
What are the rules regarding the admissibility of evidence in a drug case?
What are the elements of an entrapment defense?
What is the purpose of the DEA?
What is the difference between a suspended sentence and probation?
What is the difference between a plea of not guilty and a plea of nolo contendere?
What is the Controlled Substances Act?

What is a drug diversion program?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts