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Adult diversion program launched

Program offers an alternative to court system
Risberg

Adults caught driving without insurance or on their first drug charge may face a less punitive judgment in La Plata County.

The 6th Judicial District Attorney’s Office started a diversion program for adults about weeks six ago to address legal issues outside the court system.

Similar to the long-standing juvenile diversion program, this new option helps some potentially facing charges for minor crimes avoid a conviction by agreeing to education or treatment, said Todd Risberg, district attorney.

“It’s much less adversarial,” he said.

Currently, 28 adults are in the program, and the office is looking to work more closely with the police to identify those who would likely qualify for diversion.

Those arrested for driving with a revoked or a suspended license are good candidates because the traditional law-enforcement process can lead to a cycle of arrests and tickets.

“You have to drive to get around, get to work,” Risberg said.

Those with a revoked license often continue driving and accumulate more offenses and tickets that they may not be able to pay. The diversion program is set up to help them pay off tickets over time and get their diver’s license reinstated through the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles.

“For a lot of people, that is sort of overwhelming to deal with the DMV system,” Risberg said.

Those facing their first drug charge or their first child-abuse charge are also likely candidates for the program. Through the diversion program, these people would likely be required to attend treatment or other relevant education, such as parenting classes.

The Colorado State Legislature passed a law in 2013 encouraging these programs to address cases that have enough evidence to prosecute. Last year, the local district attorney’s office received a state grant for $70,000 to start the program. This year, his office received $55,700 to continue the work.

This money helps to pay for a part-time coordinator, treatment and educational programs that the person agrees to, rather than receiving them as a condition of a sentence.

“This approach gets better compliance and better results,” Risberg said.

Risberg would like to see the program become as self-sustaining as possible through supervision fees that those in the program would pay. These fees can be waived or reduced based on a client’s need.

mshinn@durangoherald.com



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