What is a juvenile diversion program?

A juvenile diversion program is an alternative to the traditional court system for crimes committed by minors in California. These programs allow minors who have committed a crime to undergo counseling, community service, and other rehabilitative measures instead of being sent to juvenile court. This program is focused on rehabilitation and creating a better future for the juvenile offender. The purpose of a juvenile diversion program is to help prevent further criminal behavior and create a more positive environment for the offender and the victim. When a juvenile offense occurs, a law enforcement officer can either refer the case to a juvenile diversion program or to the juvenile court. If the case is referred to a juvenile diversion program, a juvenile case officer is assigned to the case and works with the juvenile and the victim on a case plan. This case plan may include mandatory counseling, restitution payments, community service, and/or other activities to help the juvenile offender learn from their mistakes and become a productive member of society. The ultimate goal of the juvenile diversion program is to provide education, guidance and support to juveniles, allowing them to make better decisions, acknowledge their mistakes, and make amends with the victim and the community. It also allows the juvenile to avoid a juvenile court appearance and a criminal record. If the juvenile successfully completes their case plan, the charges may be dropped, or they might plea to a lesser charge or receive a deferred sentence.

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What is a juvenile diversion program?

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