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Juvenile Restorative Justice and Diversion Eligibility

Juvenile Restorative Justice and Diversion programs

Juvenile Restorative Justice

The 22nd District’s Juvenile Restorative Justice and Diversion Program is an alternative to the traditional court process for eligible juvenile offenders.  The primary goal is to prevent further contact with the police and criminal justice system by providing a variety of services to meet individual, family and community needs with the intention of reintegrating these individuals into the community.  These young people are referred to as clients, and participate in Diversion with their parent or guardian.

Diversion programs

Diversion programs focus on teaching skills and providing opportunities to practice those skills. Our office strives to implement restorative ideologies and practices to the diversion process through the use of community collaboration and an emphasis on repair, responsibility, and reintegration. Clients are assigned to programs based on their needs and strengths.  The length of time in Diversion varies depending upon the individual needs of the clients and may range from three months up to two years.

Diversion Eligibility  

In general, clients who have committed a Felony 3, 4, 5 or Felony 6 property offense and/or a Misdemeanor 1, 2 or 3 are eligible for Diversion. Juveniles who commit a misdemeanor or felony property offense may be offered Diversion services in lieu of formal court proceedings. Diversion does not discriminate due to ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or socio-economic status.

Clients must meet the following criteria:

  1. Clients between the ages of 10 and 17 at the time of the offense.
  2. Clients admit their guilt, culpability and/or involvement in the offense.
  3. Clients have not previously participated in a state level Diversion Program within the past year.
  4. Clients do not have past or pending state court cases in Montezuma and Dolores Counties, or other judicial districts.
  5. Clients and their parent/guardian voluntarily agree to participate in the program.
  6. Clients agree to and do comply with the Juvenile Diversion Contract.
  7. The services available in Diversion are appropriate and meet the needs of the client.
Contact Montezuma County District Attorney
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