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What is The Restorative Justice Program?
The philosophy of the Restorative Justice Program is to address the root causes of a person's criminal involvement. The program goals are to educate defendants in targeted "life skills" and to expose them to the many available community resources that might assist them in becoming law abiding citizens.
Restorative Justice Program begins with an individualized Diversion Plan Conference. During this Conference, an in-depth analysis results in a Diversion Plan tailored to the specific needs of the Offender. An offender may be referred to community resources for employment, education, drug/alcohol treatment, mental health, and/or any other appropriate community-based service.
A successful completion of the program results in a recommendation for non-filing of criminal charges or dismissal of the criminal charges.
A successful completion of the program results in a recommendation for non-filing of criminal charges or dismissal of the criminal charges.
Who is eligible?
Any adult person arrested for a misdemeanor crime is eligible for diversion. Similarly, any person arrested for a felony crime who is ultimately charged with a misdemeanor crime by the District Attorney's Office discretion is eligible for diversion.
How to apply
The Restorative Justice Program is available as prefiling or post filing program. The cases are screened by the District Attorney's Office to determine whether or not Restorative Justice is appropriate for the offender and victim of the crime.
Prefiling: The cases are screened prior to charges being filed. There is no need to apply for the program. The cases are screened by the District Attorney's Office to determine whether or not Restorative Justice is appropriate for the offender and victim of the crime.
Post-Filing: When in court, if eligible, the defendant or attorney may petition the court to consider diversion. The victim of the crime must agree to program prior to defendant being approved for the Restorative Justice Program by the District Attorney's Office.
What to expect in the program?
If your case has been deemed suitable for Restorative Justice Program, you will be contacted by CorrectiveSolutions, both by phone and letter. If you have not heard from CorrectiveSolutions, please call (844) 731-5092.
You enroll in the RJP by attending the Diversion Plan Conference and paying an enrollment fee of $40. You must complete the enrollment two weeks prior to your next your court appearance. Participation in the program is subject to additional fees.
At the Diversion Plan Conference, a customized Diversion Plan will be established for you. The Diversion Plan will contain the conditions that you must meet to successfully complete the Diversion. Conditions may include crime-specific interactive journal; community service; pay all fees associated with the program; write an apology letter to victim; attend a Restorative Justice Session with an assigned case manager and referrals to community resources.
The Program length is three (3) months and starts upon enrollment (day of your Diversion Plan Conference).
You must contact the Program once a month. The schedule for those contacts will be included on your Enrollment letter and Diversion Plan agreement.
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