🔺  The Atlantic County Prosecutor announces a new program aimed at keeping people out of jail.

🔺  The program involves strict guidelines for those accepted

🔺  The program is supported by the county administration

 

The Atlantic County Prosecutor's office has announced the formation of a new diversion program that is meant to help offenders avoid jail time.

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The program is funded with the support of the Atlantic County administration and will initially consist of one Chief Prosecutor, two Assistant Prosecutors and one salaried law intern.

Officials say programs such as this offer people charged with criminal offenses, a way to avoid jail and even convictions.

Those offered the program must agree to abide by strict conditions set by the court.

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Many times, these conditions involve professional treatment.

The goal of the program is to help people avoid jail and help reduce crime and repeat offenses.

It will also help reduce court caseloads and backlogs.

Initially, the program will consist of five parts,

▪️  Pre-Trial Intervention

▪️  Recovery Court (formerly known as Drug Court)

▪️  Mental Health Court

▪️  At-Risk Court

▪️ Alternative Prosecution for Positive Outcomes

Credit: Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office via Facebook
Credit: Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office via Facebook
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The Atlantic County County Diversion Program has been a long-time goal of Prosecutor William E. Reynolds,

When I was a municipal prosecutor, I saw thousands of indictable cased remanded to the local municipal courts. This failed to protect the interests of the community, and failed the defendants themselves, as they were given neither opportunities for treatment nor meaningful consequences for their conduct.
We have stopped that practice and now, through these programs, we are giving offenders an opportunity at rehabilitation before it’s too late.
The Prosecutor makes the point that not all defendants and not all offenses are eligible for the program.
Anyone accepted to the program who fails to live up to the requirements or who re-offends will face additional prosecution and jail time.
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Corbis via Getty Images
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Source:  ACPO

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