Diversion and Deflection Programs

Overview of CJRD Diversion and Deflection Programs

The purpose of diversion and deflection programs is to reduce the harm of legal system involvement for individuals by diverting/deflecting them to therapeutic and educational resources. Participants work with a diversion coordinator to complete a diversion or deflection plan that provides support through accountability, information about the collateral consequences of criminal justice involvement, and service referrals to specialized programming that meet the individual’s needs in order to resolve their matter without the lasting collateral consequences of an arrest or criminal conviction.

Referrals for diversion are generally made by court personnel post-charge and referrals for deflection are generally made by law enforcement pre-charge, both with the ultimate goal of increasing community safety and well-being by offering earlier and direct access to interventions and information that reduce the likelihood of recidivism and allow system actors to prioritize more pressing public safety issues. Diversion and deflection programs are more effective and less costly than arrest, court referrals, and incarceration, and they have long-term economic benefits for the individual and the community. In addition, diversion and deflection improve community relations with law enforcement, reduce racial disparities, and improve public health outcomes.

What are the CJRD Diversion and Deflection Programs?

CJRD oversees four different diversion and deflection programs that focus on different justice-involved communities and use different sets of eligibility criteria:

• Adult Pre-Arrest Diversion (OC-PAD) - adult first offenders of certain low-level misdemeanor offenses.
• Youth Deflection Program (YDP) - youth 17 and under who commit offenses, or are at risk of committing an offense, but may not need juvenile justice system involvement.
• Lantern Project - adults with substance use diagnosis who have prior or pending legal system involvement.
• Community Care and Diversion Response (CCDR) - adults with a mental health diagnosis who have prior or pending legal system involvement.

Follow the program links for more information about each program, including eligibility information and who to contact.

Submit a Referral to a Diversion/Deflection CJRD Program

Orange County CJRD Diversion/Deflection Program Referral Form