WHAT IS A DIVERSION COURT?
Diversion
Courts, similar to Drug Courts, are built upon a unique partnership between the criminal justice system and the treatment
community, one which structures treatment intervention around the authority and personal involvement of a Diversion Court
Judge. Diversion Courts are also dependent upon the creation of a non-adversarial
courtroom atmosphere where a Judge and a dedicated treatment team of court officers and staff work together toward a common
goal of breaking the cycle of drug abuse and criminal behavior.
The separating
factor between Drug Courts and Diversion Courts is a Diversion Court
does not limit those involved to drug offenses only. Multiple offenses, beyond the scope of drug offenses are approached
within the Diversion Court.
The following
are challenges and opportunities that present themselves in working with drug-involved criminal offenders:
o Addicts
are most vulnerable to successful intervention when they are in the crisis of initial arrest and incarceration, so intervention
must be immediate and up-front.
o Preventing gaps in communication and ensuring offender accountability
are critically important. Therefore, court supervision must be highly coordinated
and very comprehensive.
o Addiction to drugs is a longstanding,
debilitating, and insidious condition, so treatment must be long-term and comprehensive.
o Addiction to drugs seldom exists in isolation from other serious problems
that undermine rehabilitation, so treatment must include integration of other available services and resources such as educational
and vocational assessment and assistance.
o Relapse and intermittent advancement are part of the recovery process, so progressive
sanctions and incentives must be integral to the Diversion Court
strategy.
