Diversion provides an alternative to the traditional court process and ensures effective, consistent short-term case management for clients and families.
Diversion is a voluntary program that offers an opportunity to resolve a filed police report without appearing in court. If a juvenile is referred to the Diversion Program by the Prosecuting Attorney, the juvenile will meet with a probation officer to review the pending police report, his or her rights, and the expectations of the Diversion Program.
If a juvenile and his or her parents agree to participate in the program, a social history interview will be conducted. Clients and families will be subject to both terms based on the Balanced Approach. Terms will encompass appropriate supervision in order to protect the community from future delinquent activity, holding the juvenile responsible to the victim, and competency development (skill building). The juvenile may be given more information about the law, making better choices, and saying no to peer pressure. A probation officer will collaboratively develop these terms for the juvenile and parent and may include a program fee, drug, and alcohol assessment (if applicable), urinalyses, community service, reparation to victims, letters of apology, and attending groups or classes.
Typical terms may be completed in 90 days; a juvenile may complete the program sooner if all terms are met. Alternately, the program may be extended if more time or services are needed to complete the terms.
Diversion program payment requirements are different from payment requirements for juveniles involved in the court system. Diversion payments can only be accepted at the Benjamin Probation location. We accept cash, check, or money orders only (no credit/debit cards). Please note that paying a diversion program fee and a diversion restitution fee at the same time requires two separate transactions. For example, if paying $25 toward the program fee and $50 toward restitution, two separate checks, money orders, or cash transactions would be required.
Diversion Forms: