Going over what, exactly, a juvenile informal diversion program is and speaking with a California juvenile criminal lawyer will make it easier for your child to obtain the best possible legal outcome.

What Is Juvenile Probation?

Juvenile probation in California is a legal arrangement that involves a minor being supervised and monitored as a result of a criminal act.

Rather than being placed outside of their home and into a juvenile facility or some other arrangement, juvenile probation allows minors to remain at home.

Even though the above is true, a juvenile who is sentenced to probation must still abide by the terms of their probation. And these terms vary depending on the type of probation a minor has been sentenced to.

Just as an example, if a minor is sentenced to juvenile informal probation, then they will need to abide by the terms of their juvenile informal diversion program.

On the other hand, if a minor is sentenced to wardship probation, then they will be forced to deal with different terms and conditions that, as a result of the sentence, may be more stringent.

What Is A Juvenile Informal Diversion Program?

A juvenile informal diversion program is a program that minors who are sentenced to juvenile informal probation can, and almost always will, go through.

If a minor is sentenced to juvenile informal probation, then they will be supervised by a probation officer for a period of six months.

Unlike other forms of juvenile probation, a minor who is going through a juvenile informal diversion program will be supervised informally.

What Factors Lead To Juvenile Informal Probation?

A wide variety of factors can lead to a minor being sentenced to juvenile informal probation:

• The age of the minor.
• The seriousness of the criminal offense.
• The minor’s challenges in school or their community.
• The minor’s attitude.
• The minor’s criminal history.

Outside of the above, a variety of other factors can be, and often are, considered. But, the above are some of the most common.

What Does A Juvenile Informal Diversion Program Entail?

The exact terms of a juvenile informal diversion program are dependent on a minor’s conduct.

Just as an example, if a minor was arrested for drug use, then their informal diversion program may contain provisions related to drug addiction treatment and counseling.

The goal of an informal diversion program is rehabilitation. By the time a minor has finished the program, they will, ideally, understand that their actions were wrong and no longer engage in them.

If a minor completes their informal diversion program, and their performance is satisfactory, then it is likely that the charge – or “petition,” as that is the appropriate term – that the minor was facing will be dropped.

On the other hand, if their performance is less-than-satisfactory, the terms of their juvenile informal diversion program can be extended.

Speak With An Orange County Juvenile Criminal Defense Lawyer

If your child has committed a crime, then you need legal help. Speak with an Orange County juvenile criminal defense lawyer at the Law Office of Katie Walsh today, and we will defend them.