These alternative options are available for many reasons. The first is they assist to cut back elevated criminal justice prices, cut back stigmatization/labeling, particularly amongst younger offenders, cut back mass incarceration, and to cut back the odds of recidivism. Alternatives to traditional criminal prosecution exist. These include diversion packages and deferred prosecution.
The primary precept of diversion packages is an offender “fulfils sure necessities, similar to finishing remedy, paying restitution, or performing group service, as a substitute of being incarcerated and saddled with a lifelong criminal file” (Kubic & Pendergrass, 2017). The diversion package focuses on the root causes of the crime. Diversion packages can be considered efficient in that they help increase long-term security for the group and reduce the chance of the offender committing another crime. Both formal and casual diversion programs are available. For formal diversion packages the offender must complete a program to be considered for diversion. In casual diversion programs, however, the offender will be kept out of the justice process. For minor offenses such as visitors violations, informal diversion programs are available.
Many diversion options are offered. There are a variety of diversion packages available. These include youth courts, restorative justice intervention, truancy intervention programs, and teens/youth courts. These are designed to help young, first-time criminals. Juvenile offenders are “sentenced by their friends for minor crimes, offenses, and/or violations” (“Youth/Teen Court Diversion Programs,” n.d.). The offenses include theft, disorderly behaviour, underage drinking, and others. Youth courts accept offenders between the ages 11-17. The youth courtroom diversion programs are efficient because they have active interaction with the group. The group and justice system can work together to improve awareness of group delinquency. Members of the group can help address the juvenile problems in the group. I am very concerned about the informality of juvenile courts. Injuveniles who are convicted of minor offenses can benefit from casual proceedings. In cases in which the parents and defendants are unaware of their rights, however, the informality could lead to the victim’s rights being overlooked.