Section 12-17-226.3

Section 12-17-226.3Standards for admission.

(a) In determining whether an offender may be admitted into a pretrial diversion program established under this division, it shall be appropriate for the district attorney to consider any of the following circumstances:



(1) If the offender is 18 years of age or older at the time the offense was committed.



(2) There is a probability justice will be served if the offender is placed in the pretrial diversion program.



(3) It is determined the needs of the community and of the offender can be met through the pretrial diversion program.



(4) The offender appears to pose no substantial threat to the safety and well-being of the community or law enforcement.



(5) The offender is not likely to be involved in further criminal activity.



(6) The offender will likely respond to rehabilitative treatment.



(7) The expressed wish of the victim for the offender to participate in the pretrial diversion program.



(8) Undue hardship upon the victim.



(9) Whether the victim or the offender has medical, psychiatric, or vocational difficulties that would impede the administration of justice.



(10) Whether there is a reason to believe that the victim or offender will benefit from and cooperate with a diversionary program.



(11) If the offender honorably served and is eligible as a former member of the U.S. military to be treated by the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs.



(12) The impact of criminal charges or prosecution upon the victim, witnesses, or the community.



(13) The availability of other programs which may serve the needs of the community or the rehabilitation of the offender.



(b) The district attorney may waive any of the standards specified in subsection (a) if justice or special circumstances dictate.



(c) Any participation in a pretrial diversion program should not preclude an offender from considering and pursuing other strategies which may be more beneficial to him or her than the program.



(d)(1) In jurisdictions where the district attorney elects to establish a pretrial diversion program pursuant to this division, an offender's qualifications, application, or entry into any other existing statutorily created drug court or other successful specialty court shall be paramount to the pretrial diversion program created pursuant to this division. If an offender qualifies for a drug or specialty court program, that program shall have priority over the pretrial diversion program created pursuant to this division.



(2)a. Nothing in this division shall prohibit a district attorney and the presiding circuit judge or the presiding judge in charge of the specialty court or drug court to enter into an agreement or memorandum of understanding, whereby the pretrial diversion program and the other specialty or drug court will work to complement each other in a cohesive and unified effort to serve the needs of the community, victims, and to rehabilitate the offender.



b. Nothing in this division shall prevent the pretrial diversion program from accepting applicants who have been referred from or denied acceptance into a drug or specialty court program.



(e) No potential pretrial diversion program applicant shall be denied access to a program based on race, ethnic background, religion, gender, disability, marital status, or economic status. No person who is protected by applicable federal or state laws against discrimination should be otherwise subjected to discrimination for eligibility purposes.

(Act 2013-361, p. 1290, §4.)