Program Overview

In January 2000, the Belmont County Juvenile Court created the Diversion Program after determining that the court process could delay a juvenile’s initial appearance for many weeks or months after an alleged offense.

The Diversion Program is an informal process that diverts eligible youth from further involvement in the juvenile justice system by using an alternative, non-judicial approach.

Youth who have no prior official or unofficial record and are alleged to have committed a misdemeanor offense may be eligible to participate.

Program Goals

• Quickly and efficiently address first-time offenses
• Allow youth to acknowledge responsibility for their actions with appropriate consequences
• Provide youth and families with needed resources
• Prevent further involvement with the juvenile justice system

Conference Process

After receiving the complaint, the Diversion Program Coordinator will notify the youth and parent or guardian in writing of the date and time of the scheduled Diversion conference.

The conference is scheduled within ten days of the Coordinator receiving the complaint.

To participate, the youth must agree that the charges stated in the complaint are substantially true. If the youth denies or disputes the charges, the conference will be canceled and the complaint will be filed with the Belmont County Juvenile Court.

What Happens at the Conference?

The youth and parent or guardian must attend the Diversion conference. During the conference, the Coordinator will discuss the complaint, gather information about the youth and family, and assess whether services or community resources may be helpful.

If the youth accepts responsibility, the youth will sign an Agreed Order agreeing to follow specific terms and conditions. The parent or guardian also signs the order.

If the youth denies the offense or chooses not to participate, the conference ends and the complaint is filed in Juvenile Court.

Terms and Conditions

The terms of the Diversion Program depend on the offense, the youth, and the family’s needs. The typical time frame for involvement is 90 days, though this period may be extended if necessary.

While participating in the program, the Coordinator may:

• Contact school officials regarding attendance and compliance with school rules
• Request random drug and alcohol testing
• Perform random curfew checks
• Request updates from mental health or drug and alcohol counseling providers
• Work with schools, law enforcement, and community service agencies

Local Rules of Procedure

1. The Chief Deputy Clerk and Diversion Program Coordinator review delinquency complaints. Complaints may be referred to the Diversion Program if they are a first offense, not a felony, not an aggravated offense, and if no objection is made by the prosecutor’s office.
2. The Diversion Program Coordinator may receive unruly complaints directly from the prosecutor’s office when they are also first offenses.
3. The Court may, at its discretion and with the approval of the prosecuting attorney, refer cases to the Diversion Program Coordinator in the interest of justice.
4. Upon referral, the Coordinator sends a letter to the juvenile and legal parent, custodian, or guardian explaining the intake procedure and scheduling a meeting. A $75.00 fee is charged and is payable by money order at the initial conference.
5. The Coordinator will work with the juvenile and parent, custodian, or guardian to resolve the complaint and avoid formal court intervention when possible. If the juvenile voluntarily terminates the program, makes minimal effort, or receives a second offense during intake, the original complaint may be formally filed with the Court.
6. The Coordinator may develop a Diversion Form to be completed by the juvenile and parent, custodian, or guardian and returned at the first meeting.
7. Cases referred to the Diversion Program receive an intake case number but not a formal Juvenile Court case number. The Coordinator maintains a database of referrals and outcomes.