A person charged with a crime faces severe penalties, including jail time, fines, and strict probation terms. But do these punishments really encourage individuals to learn and grow so they do not re-offend? The evidence suggests that traditional penalties like incarceration are not the most effective way to deter people from committing additional crimes in the future.
The Connecticut criminal legal system allows individuals who have been charged with certain types of crimes to enroll in various diversion programs, which enable them to avoid the harshest penalties, including jail time. The purpose of these programs is to promote rehabilitation rather than to punish. An individual who completes rehabilitation programs has the opportunity to avoid the most severe consequences of a criminal charge and have their case dismissed.
Connecticut offers eight different diversion programs, each with its own objectives and eligibility requirements. If you qualify, the court may suspend prosecution, and upon successful completion of the program, your case could be dismissed. However, program requirements are not easy, and if you do not complete them, your case will be returned to the court’s docket for trial on the original charges.
This program is for individuals who were alcohol- or drug-dependent at the time of the offense. To be eligible, the court must find that the defendant is likely to benefit from treatment and that suspending prosecution advances the interests of justice. The program involves up to two years of treatment and programs under the supervision of the Court Services Support Division (CSSD). Eligible defendants may participate up to two times, but the court can waive this restriction.
This program is for individuals charged with a crime relating to the illegal sale, delivery, or transfer of firearms, including long guns, armor piercing or incendiary caliber ammunition, or large capacity magazines. To be eligible, the court must find that (1) the offense is not serious in nature and (2) the defendant probably will not offend in the future and has no prior convictions for the type of offense he or she is charged with. The program involves up to two years under CSSD supervision.
This program is for defendants charged with family violence crimes, excluding those that involve class A, B, C, or D felonies. Eligible defendants must submit to up to two years under the supervision of a family violence intervention unit.
Accelerated Rehabilitation (AR) is available to veterans and first-time offenders charged with a crime or motor vehicle violation that is not of a serious nature. Eligibility depends on the nature of the crime and the defendant’s prior criminal history. People charged with the following crimes are not eligible to participate:
This program is for individuals charged with DUI, boating under the influence, and second-degree reckless operation of a motor vehicle. To qualify, a defendant cannot have a prior conviction for DUI and must meet other program criteria. The program generally lasts for one year and involves 12 sessions of alcohol intervention treatment.
This program is for individuals charged with possession of small amounts of marijuana or drug paraphernalia. The program involves a minimum of one year of treatment, including at least 15 sessions of drug education or substance abuse treatment.
This program is for secondary school students charged with an offense involving the use or threatened use of physical violence at school. An individual cannot have any prior offenses involving the threatened use of physical violence at school, and the student, along with their parents or guardian, must attest that they do not possess any firearms, dangerous weapons, drugs, or other materials that are illegal for them to possess.
This program is for individuals charged with non-serious crimes or motor vehicle violations who have a qualifying psychiatric disability or who are veterans with a treatable mental health condition. The CSSD will develop a tailored treatment plan and can coordinate with DMHAS as well as the state and federal Veterans Affairs departments.
The Lebedevitch Law Firm, LLC, is an enthusiastic supporter of Connecticut’s pretrial diversion programs and works diligently to help people charged with crimes seek rehabilitation as a means to prevent future crimes.
Criminal defense attorney Stephen Lebedevitch has helped other defendants apply for rehabilitation programs in Connecticut. He is highly respected by his prosecutors and judges and he knows how to achieve successful results for his clients.
To determine whether you qualify and to give yourself the best chance of being accepted into a program, contact The Lebedevitch Law Firm for advice, legal representation, and assistance.
To learn more about how we can help with your application to a rehabilitation program in Connecticut, contact The Lebedevitch Law Firm today to schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your situation.
The Lebedevitch Law Firm is based in Fairfield and represents people who have been charged with crimes in Stamford, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Darien, Rowayton, Fairfield, Trumbull, Westport, Wilton, Weston, Danbury, New Haven, Bethany, Woodbridge, Milford, Stratford, Bridgeport, and throughout the State of Connecticut.
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