What is a Diversion Program in California?
On July 1, the new budget was active and allowed for $5 million towards funding a new program that allows victims of crimes to confront their offenders. The money was used to fund the program for 5 years and it will allow offenders of any age to participate, not just those who are juvenile which has traditionally been the case with this type of program.
The program pairs victims and offenders before the conviction occurs. The benefit for offenders is that if they go through the program they can avoid a criminal record which impacts the rest of their lives outside of prison.
How does Diversion Work in California?
Those who are proponents of the plan believe that it is going to be beneficial for both survivors as well as criminals. Survivors get closure and a piece that is needed for them to help heal more thoroughly. Offenders may be deterred from continuing to repeat criminal offenses once out of prison because they have had the opportunity to leave their sentence with a clean slate, thus giving them a second chance at life without the blot of crimes on their records.
It is a program that allows for a more personal look at crimes for both parties and participates in forgiveness which may have a strong and valuable impact in the long term. It is a means to make a bad situation into a good one for both sides of the equation.
Who is Eligible for Diversion Program in California?
This is a state-funded program and only those offenders who do not exhibit an extensive criminal record are eligible. Additionally, those who have been convicted of sex crimes and murder will not be eligible. Crimes that are highly associated with violence such as robbery, assault, burglary, and criminal threats would be eligible.
Working together with community groups, law enforcement, defense attorneys, the offenders, and victims a plan will be developed that will meet the needs of the survivors while also promoting a strategy to help the offender avoid engaging in more crimes in the future. In order to accomplish this, substance abuse treatment, counseling, education, and job training may all play a role. Victims can have the ability to obtain restitution or even a letter of apology.
There will be tracking done on those who successfully complete the totality of the program to determine its effectiveness. Looking at factors like victim satisfaction as well as new crimes committed or lack of crimes committed by offenders will be evaluated.
Get the Best Outcome Possible with Proper Defense
Individuals who have been charged with criminal offenses have the right to a solid defense. The use of a Southern California criminal defense attorney at the Manshoory Law Group, APC can help you when you are facing a criminal trial. We specialize in criminal defense and we are experts in criminal law.
We know about all the opportunities that are available to you to help you with your case, such as new programs including this diversion program opportunity. You don’t have to go through this process alone, our team of Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys can help.
Call us at 877-977-7750 and speak to one of our resourceful Southern California criminal defense attorneys today.