Pretrial Juvenile Diversion Program

The Clay County Attorney's Office offers a Pretrial Juvenile Diversion Program as an alternative to court. The program is designed to further the following goals:

• Provide eligible offenders with an alternative to adjudication that emphasizes restorative justice.
• Reduce the costs and caseload burdens on juvenile courts and the juvenile justice system.
• Minimize recidivism among diverted offenders.
• Develop responsible alternatives to the juvenile justice system for eligible offenders.

Eligibility

First time juvenile offenders are eligible.

Diversion Program Benefits

• The cost of the class is less than the court fine.
• The juvenile's citation will be dismissed after attending the classes, so there will not be a court record that the juvenile committed the offense.
• The workshops provide positive tools to examine your present situation, take control of your actions and improve your life.

Programs Offered

• Chemical Diversion: This program is for juveniles cited for minor consumption, possession of marijuana or possession of drug paraphernalia. This class meets 2 nights from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. This is our only class where a parent is required to attend with their child. The fee for the class is $75 and it is conducted by representatives from The ASPEN Program.
• Juvenile Offender Diversion: This program is for juveniles cited for a wide variety of petty misdemeanors involving tobacco offenses, petty theft, disorderly conduct, curfew violations, loud party ordinance violations, criminal damage to property, or any other petty misdemeanor violations. This is a 2-hour class. The fee for this class is $25 and it is conducted by The ASPEN Program.

Program Coordinator

The Juvenile Diversion Program Coordinator for our office is Susan Kadrie.