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Diversion and Deferral

This section presents data on cases granted diversion or deferred judgment. Diversion and deferred judgments are alternatives to traditional prosecution that attempt to address individuals’ needs. If programmatic requirements are met, the case will be dismissed.

Why is this important? Understanding what cases are diverted or deferred and the rate of successful program completion provides information on whether the alternative minimizes unnecessary punitiveness and maintains community safety.

The data reflected below comes from internal analysis of diversion cases referred in 2021 and 2022.



The Diversion Program in the District Attorney’s Office is unique in the State of Colorado. Our office provides pre-filing diversion for both adults and juveniles. Allowing those diverted to avoid entering the court system. It offers change-based counseling alternatives to prosecuting a case in court. To learn more about our diversion click here https://adamsbroomfieldda.org/Diversion.

The number of cases diverted in 2020 and 2021 decreased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was true throughout Colorado and the nation. We are going to continue to monitor this metric moving forward.  










Race and ethnicity data is not based on a consistent method of self-identification with law enforcement. In 2022 we changed our processes and systems to allow defendant clients to voluntarily self-identify race and ethnicity with our Diversion office to allow for improved accuracy in this metric. Our office remains committed to an ongoing conversation of these issues to better understand the root cause of disparity in the criminal justice system. 




Our diversion program allows a defendant the opportunity to avoid having a permanent conviction on their record.  If an individual successfully completes the requirements of the diversion program, the case will not enter the criminal justice system. We are encouraged by the high level of successful completion of diversion clients. 



Indicators

Below are a set of indicators that provide additional context about diversion and deferrals. These indicators help the DA's Office ensure they are providing alternatives to traditional prosecution effectively and fairly.






Click Here for more information about race and ethnicity data collection and limitations.

Race and ethnicity data is not based on a consistent method of voluntary self-identification. While we work on strategies to improve data collection, we believe it is important to engage in discussions around issues such as the ones highlighted in this metric. Our office is committed to a deeper study of these issues to better understand the root cause of disparity in the criminal justice system.




We are encouraged by the high level of successful completion of deferred judgments. However, given the lag in this data we will be watching closely to see how changes during the COVID-19 Pandemic impacts the success rate over the coming months and years. 




Notes

  • Underlying data counts for each chart can be accessed through this link.