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INFORMATION ITEM <br /> o.. ,�W twri�%/vG it rifAiU <br /> 1111111101M mmm <br /> 100 A 1111111 <br /> lu mu mum 11111111111111111111111 <br /> � <br /> mII 0 <br /> 1001 I <br /> CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESOURCE OFFICE <br /> C aitlirn II crnllna cln Ilannioln0:91" 218 2303 <br /> C IriInirnal /ru:at re I00ao uric 1 rna cr ax 919 610 1/29 <br /> Oral n c Coalnly Co ulrrtho a ac <br /> 106 If:art 1 1rgareL II..alnc <br /> 1111alaorougN NC 2/2/8 <br /> March 29, 2016 <br /> Dear Commissioners, <br /> I wanted to write to let you know about an exciting new Orange County youth diversionary <br /> program that will be administered by the Criminal Justice Resource Office. With the support and <br /> approval of Judicial District 15B Superior Court Judges, the Chief District Court Judge, the District <br /> Attorney's Office, the Public Defender's Office, the Orange County Clerk of Court, the Orange County <br /> Sheriff's Office and the Chiefs of Police for Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough and Mebane, a new <br /> Misdemeanor Diversion Program (MDP) for 16 and 17 year olds,who have no adult criminal record,will <br /> be implemented on April 15, 2016. <br /> Orange County criminal justice system stakeholders have been planning the implementation of <br /> a Misdemeanor Diversion Program for 16 and 17 year old first offenders, similar to the innovative pilot <br /> program created by Judge Marcia Morey in Durham, since late in 2014 when Public Defender James E. <br /> Williams,Jr., convened a planning committee. I was a member of that original planning committee <br /> which drafted a concept paper and MDP proposal for the Judicial District Executive Committee (JDEC). <br /> There was great interest and support by the judicial leaders in Orange County in looking at options for <br /> keeping these young individuals, who are considered adults under North Carolina law, away from the <br /> criminal justice system. In November 2015, following the creation of my position and the Criminal <br /> Justice Resource Office, court and law enforcement stakeholders joined together in one MDP planning <br /> committee. Our committee met many times to address concerns and to iron out program details and <br /> logistics in order to finalize a Proposal that was adopted by JDEC this month. <br /> I am pleased to serve as the MDP Coordinator and our office will work diligently to ensure that <br /> this important program is successful in entirely diverting eligible 16 and 17 year olds from the adult <br /> criminal justice system. I will be working with planning committee members over the next few weeks to <br /> provide information to the community and to draft a press release for Orange County to distribute <br /> about the launch of our MDP program. In addition, we hope to have an op-ed signed by the MDP court <br /> stakeholders that will run in the local media. However, I wanted you to be informed first and I am <br /> always available to you to answer any questions or concerns you may have about the Orange County <br /> MDP and its operation. I have also attached a detailed description of our program for your <br /> consideration. <br /> An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer <br /> www.orangecountvnc.gov <br />