The Pre-Trial Adult Diversion Program of the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office is a voluntary alternative to criminal prosecution for eligible defendants.

The District Attorney’s Office reviews each case on an individual basis and some cases may not be eligible for the Diversion Program due to the nature of the crime or if the circumstance appears to be beyond the scope of this program. This program provides participants the opportunity to have their charges resolved after completing the appropriate program requirements. The program is designed to deter any future criminal activity by addressing the participant’s needs through means of counseling, education, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services. Participants will be asked to pay a one-time case processing fee. Program eligibility is not determined by a participant’s ability to pay and financial assistance is available to those who qualify. Restitution, if applicable, must be paid in full before the successful completion of the program.

Diversion Enrollment

Defendants who are eligible for the Adult Diversion Program will receive a letter in the mail with instructions to call the District Attorney’s Office to discuss program guidelines and schedule an intake appointment. The Adult Diversion case manager will be the participant’s point of contact and will assist the participant in obtaining necessary services for successful completion of the program.

Program Benefits

Upon successful completion of the Diversion Program, the participant’s case will be dismissed or refused by the District Attorney’s Office. Participants will be provided documentation acknowledging successful completion of the program which can be used to apply for an expungement.

Possible Program Elements

  • Contact with Diversion Case Manager(s)

  • Drug screening/alcohol monitoring as required

  • Substance abuse treatment/counseling as required

  • Attendance of relevant education course(s)

  • Compliance with treatment plan

  • Payment of restitution obligation in full

  • Payment of case processing fee

Program Goals

  • To hold participants accountable for their actions

  • To connect participants to community supports

  • To prevent and reduce future crime by addressing participant needs

  • To provide eligible defendants with an alternative to the traditional court process and a criminal conviction

  • To reduce caseload burdens on the criminal justice system

Successful Completion of Diversion

Once a participant successfully completes the Diversion program their case will be refused/dismissed in court.

Unsuccessful Termination from Diversion

Non-compliance of program requirements or voluntary withdrawal will result in the case being referred back to the traditional court system for further action.

General Questions

The Pre-Trial Adult Diversion Program is a voluntary alternative to criminal prosecution for eligible defendants, operated by the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office.

The program is designed to deter any future criminal activity by addressing the participant’s needs through means of counseling, education, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services.

Diversion provides participants the opportunity to have their charges resolved after completing the appropriate program requirements.

Participants must be 18 years of age or older.

Yes, there is a Diversion case processing fee. Financial assistance is available to qualifying participants. No person will be denied services due to their financial situation.

If you are deemed eligible to participate in the Diversion program, you will receive a letter in the mail with instructions to call the District Attorney’s Office to schedule an intake appointment with a Diversion Case Manager(s).