Youth Court Diversion

Youth Court Diversion is a restorative alternative for youth (age 11-19) charged with a juvenile delinquency. After police issue a citation for violating the law, the state’s attorney decides whether to refer the youth out of the court system to the community-based Court Diversion program.

A youth referred to Diversion….

• chooses whether to participate or not – participation is voluntary,
• admits responsibility for their actions,
• meets with a panel of community volunteers and creates a contract designed to repair the harm caused by their actions and address underlying factors in their life that contributed to the crime,
• pays a $100 fee (fees can be reduced or waived if needed), and
• avoids a delinquency record if they complete the program successfully.

Other key aspects of Diversion…

• Victims’ views are heard and reflected in the contract developed by the Restorative Justice Panel and participant
• Case managers support participants through the process to successful completion

If a youth does not complete the contract, the case is returned to the State’s Attorney for prosecution

To learn more about the Court Diversion Process, watch this short video.  For detailed information, visit the Vermont Association of Court Diversion Programs.