Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
3 <br /> o.. ,�W twrird/vG it rifAiU <br /> mumlmm mmm 0 o 00mu 10000000000 000000000 000000000 111 <br /> lu <br /> "11111111000 1111111111111111111111 11111111111�v .. <br /> mIII I mu l a f OF 000 0 I 010 11100 000 000 10011 111 11011 ..00, <br /> CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESOURCE OFFICE <br /> c,uti m Fenha g nn Phone: 919 >y.y »Cty <br /> C`a"nlig ua l JI ant ce Reho G cc Ma na gei Fax 919 WO I 0 <br /> Change County C`autna"tVaOW, <br /> I(4) °',ht. Mai"gaua" t 1[,auun <br /> Id inhoi ough NC /8 <br /> Orange County Misdemeanor Diversion Program <br /> Summary of Program: With the support and approval of Judicial District 15B Resident Superior Court <br /> Judges, the Chief District Court Judge, the District Attorney's Office,the Public Defender's Office,the <br /> Orange County Clerk of Court, the Orange County Criminal Justice Resource Office, the Sheriff of Orange <br /> County, and the Chiefs of Police for Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, Mebane and UNC, 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 /> North Carolina is one of only two states that prosecute all 16 and 17 year olds charged with criminal <br /> offenses in the adult system. Even when charges are dismissed, if the arrest and court records are not <br /> expunged,the incident and youth's record of arrest follows him or her into adulthood creating <br /> significant impediments to employment and education.The direct and indirect(or collateral) <br /> consequences of an arrest in the adult legal system can also impact public benefits, housing, licenses <br /> and legal residency status. <br /> The purpose of the MDP is to divert first time arrests or citations for eligible misdemeanor charges. <br /> Rather than issuing a citation or making an arrest where probable cause exists, law enforcement officers <br /> in Orange County will instead issue a youth citation that will initiate the diversionary process by <br /> directing the youth to contact the MDP Coordinator.The officer will simultaneously complete an <br /> Incident Report and an MDP Referral Form to forward to their MDP Law Enforcement Liaison. After the <br /> Liaison confirms that that the youth is eligible for MDP, the Liaison will then submit the information to <br /> the MDP Coordinator who will meet with the youth and prepare a diversion plan and require the <br /> attendance of a mandatory court session. Diversion plans will include programming tailored for the <br /> individual youth, such as community service hours, mental health and substance treatment, leadership <br /> classes, and restorative justice opportunities. After a period of no more than 90 days, the MDP <br /> Coordinator will determine if there has been successful compliance with the diversion plan terms. If <br /> there is compliance, no charges will be filed. If there has not been compliance,the MDP Coordinator will <br /> notify the Law Enforcement Liaison so that the filing of formal charges can be considered. <br /> It is important to note that this program should not be used UNLESS the law enforcement officer would <br /> otherwise initiate a formal criminal process against a 16 or 17 year old. <br /> An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer <br /> www.orangecountync.gov <br />