Juvenile Diversion

Mission Statement



“Helping at-risk youth help themselves.” Youth referred to the Program have committed a criminal offense, but in lieu of placement in the judicial system, the youth is given the opportunity to demonstrate a pattern of behavior which reflects accountability and responsibility, and a pattern of conduct that the law enforcement community and the community at large can see which leads to future leadership and growth among the youth’s peers.

Juvenile Diversion is defined in the Colorado Children’s Code (Section 19-1-103(44), Colorado Revised Statutes) as “a decision made by a person with authority or a delegate of that person in which the result is that a specific official action of the legal system is not taken against the youth in lieu of participating in individually designed services. The goal is to prevent further involvement of the youth in the formal legal system. Delta County’s Juvenile Diversion Program is authorized by the Colorado General Assembly (Section 19-2-303, C.R.S.) which establishes community-based alternatives to the formal court systems in order to:
  • Reduce juvenile crime and recidivism,
  • Change juvenile offender’s behavior and attitudes, and
  • Reduce the costs with the juvenile justice system, while
  • Protecting a juvenile’s criminal record.
Diversion may take place either before any formal action is filed or after a formal hearing as an adjunct to probation services (informal adjustment, Section 19-3-505, C.R.S.), or as part of a Court sentence (deferred adjudication, Section 19-2-709, C.R.S.). Diversion may include any or all of the following:
  • Program fee
  • Useful Public Service
  • Written assignment/Letter of apology
  • Client monitoring
  • Restitution
  • Tracking
  • Drug and alcohol education classes
  • Restorative Justice
  • Victim Impact/Empathy
  • Random drug and alcohol screening
  • Anger management
  • Life skills training
  • Parenting support group
  • Curfews
  • Restriction of association
  • Education requirements

Links


Delta County Juvenile Diversion Policies and Procedures
Criteria for the three levels of Juvenile Diversion
Colorado Office of Adult and Juvenile Justice Assistance (OAJJA)