Caledonia/Essex Counties Court Diversion Programs
A Community Response to Crime
Court Diversion is a voluntary and confidential alternative to the formal court process for certain youth and adult offenders. Cases are referred on an individualized basis by the local county’s State's Attorney.
Individuals who are referred must be willing to accept responsibility for their unlawful actions in order to participate in the Caledonia County Court Diversion Program. A participant fee is assessed at time of application.
Prevention through Intervention – Helping People and Saving Money through Court Diversion
How Does Court Diversion Work?
A Review Board, which is made up of community volunteers, reviews each case and then decides whether or not to accept the case into the program. If an applicant is accepted, the Review Board designs a Court Diversion Contract setting out specific mandates to be met in order to make up for the offense and repair the harm done. If rejected by the Review Board, or if the applicant chooses not to sign the contract, the case is returned to the State’s Attorney for resumed court action.
What is in a Court Diversion Contract?
The Court Diversion Contract, a voluntary agreement between the Diversion participant and the Diversion Review Board, typically includes these fundamental elements aimed at holding the individual accountable for his/her actions:
Ø A personal or written apology to the victim.
Ø Restitution for all property loss or damage.
Ø Community Service projects.
If applicable, the Diversion Review Board may also mandate that the Diversion participant:
Ø Participate in the Victim Impact Panel (VIP)
Ø Obtain appropriate counseling services
Ø Work toward / complete a vocational goal
Ø Work toward / complete an educational goal
Ø Write a research paper on a relevant topic
Ø Work on a relevant project
Ø Maintain weekly check-ins with the program
Ø Participate in community resource programs and/or groups
Ø Make a donation to a designated charity
Ø Provide a periodic report to the Review Board regarding progress made on the contract
Ø Any other relevant response deemed appropriate by the Board.
Upon successful completion of Diversion, the case is dismissed resulting in a clean criminal record regarding the referred offense.
Failure to complete all terms of the Diversion Contract results in resumed prosecution. The Review Board holds authority to determine the outcome of any and all Diversion Contracts.
Is Court Diversion Effective?
Diversion embraces the restorative model giving the victim, offender, and community an opportunity together to address the harm that has been done as well as to work toward addressing the underlying root issues.
The restorative model, coupled with NEKYS’ strength-based approach to working with participants, offers individuals the tools they need to be successful in Court Diversion. Caledonia and Essex Counties Court Diversion can assist participants in accessing a variety of community resources and supports as needed.
In addition, Court Diversion is cost effective in that it takes the court less time and money to process a case through Court Diversion than through the court system.
call: 802-748-8732 or e-mail: nekys@nekys.org
Vermont Association of Court Diversion Programs
c/o Willa Farrell, Court Diversion Director Office of the Attorney General 109 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05609-1001 802-828-1360
Addison County Court Diversion & Restorative Justice Projects
282 Boardman St.
Middlebury, VT 05753
802-388-3888
www.courtdiversion.com
Bennington County
Center for Restorative Justice
439 Main St.
Bennington, VT 05201
802-447-1595
www.bcrj.org
Caledonia and Essex Counties Court Diversion
Northeast Kingdom Youth Services
24 Bagley St.
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
802-748-8732
www.nekyouthservices.org
Chittenden County Court Diversion
184 King St.
Burlington, VT 05402
802-864-1585
www.chit-courtdiversion.org
Franklin County Court Diversion & Community Justice Programs
5 Lemnah Dr
St. Albans, VT 05478
802-527-5560
Grand Isle County Court Diversion
PO Box 171
N. Hero, VT 05474
802-796-4056
Lamoille County Court Diversion & Restorative Justice Programs
P.O. Box 148
Hyde Park, VT 05655
802-888-5871
http://www.lamoillecourtdiversion.org/
Orange County Court Diversion
PO Box 58
Chelsea, VT 05038
802-685-3172
Orleans County Court Diversion
Northeast Kingdom Community Action
PO Box 346
Newport, VT 05855
802-334-8224
http://www.nekca.org
Rutland County Court Diversion & Restorative Justice Center
PO Box 761
Rutland, VT 05702
802-775-2479
TASP: 802-786-3840
http://www.rutlandcountycourtdiversion.org/
Washington County Court Diversion
PO Box 1026
Montpelier, VT 05601
802- 828-0600
http://www.wcdiversion.org/
Windham County Court Diversion
Youth Services
PO Box 6008
Brattleboro, VT 05302
802-257-0361
http://www.youthservicesinc.org
Valley Court Diversion Programs
PO Box 474
White River Junction, VT 05001
802-295-5078
http://www.vcdp.org/
