(a) A person charged with a criminal offense specified in this subsection whose jurisdiction is in the circuit or district court of the Thirty-third Judicial Circuit may apply to the District Attorney of the Thirty-third Judicial Circuit for admittance to the pretrial diversion program.
(b) A person charged only with any of the following offenses may apply for the program:
(1) A traffic offense, other than driving under the influence (DUI).
(2) A property offense.
(3) An offense wherein the victim did not receive serious physical injury.
(4) An offense in which the victim was not a child under 14 years of age, a law enforcement officer, a school official, or a correctional officer.
(5) A misdemeanor other than one specifically excluded in this section.
(c) The following offenses are ineligible for consideration for the pretrial diversion program:
(1) Trafficking or distribution of drugs, or both.
(2) Any offense involving the abuse of a child or an elderly person.
(3) Any forcible sex offense.
(4) Any Class A felony.
(5) Any offense involving serious injury to a person.
(6) Any offense involving death.
(7) Driving under the influence or a traffic offense charged to a commercial driver license holder, whether or not the holder was operating a commercial motor vehicle at the time of the offense.
(8) Domestic violence.
(9) Bribery in any degree.
(10) Any offense wherein the offender is a public official and the charge is related to his or her capacity as a public official.
(d) A person deemed by the district attorney to be a threat to the safety or well-being of the community shall not be eligible for the pretrial diversion program.
(e) The opinion of law enforcement officers involved in the offense may be sought and used in the decision whether to approve the applicant for the pretrial diversion program.
(f) Applicants who satisfy all other requirements to enter the pretrial diversion program who have any prior felony convictions that can be used for enhancement purposes under the Habitual Felony Offender Act must also receive consent from a district or circuit judge to enter the pretrial diversion program.
Last modified: May 3, 2021