Young Adult Diversion

The Young Adult Diversion Program started in 2016.  The program is for 18-25 year olds with limited criminal history and accepts misdemeanors and low level felonies.  There is no fee to participate in the program.  The premise is that it has to be harder than pleading guilty to complete the program, and the young adult will have to perform either community service, training & education, job shadowing, internships or employment, counseling and evaluations, or participating in culturally appropriate programming.  Our motto is that the State will not take the walk for them, but will “light the path” for them to do it themselves.

The program prides itself on individually tailored requirements for each person.  Participants who are accepted into the program have 3-4 months to complete their requirements.  Once they complete their requirements the State will dismiss their charges.  If the participant then stays out of trouble for a period of one year, the State will not oppose a motion to expunge or clear their record, including the arrest.  This allows the young adult to not suffer from the negative consequences of a criminal conviction that could greatly affect their future, such as regarding student loans, employment and housing.