“People make mistakes” stakeholders and participants’ perceptions of the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of diversion and deferred prosecution programs.

Abstract

Deferred prosecution programs (DPPs-also known as prosecutor-led diversion) are a type of diversion program that diverts individuals from traditional court proceedings to participate in specific program requirements in return for dismissal or expungement of their charge(s). Yet, there is no standardized DPP model applied across programs and jurisdictions, and there is little research regarding the implementation outcomes of these varied programs. The current study contributes to the continuing process of DPP program implementation, evaluation, modification, and dissemination of evidence through a multisite investigation of DPP stakeholders' perceptions of programming. Individual interviews and focus groups with program stakeholders and participants were conducted between November 2016 and May 2017 in three jurisdictions in three Midwestern states. Stakeholders and participants found DPPs to be acceptable, feasible, and appropriate based on their experiences of perceived benefits and challenges. Although the national adaptation of DPPs is in its early stages, DPPs are expanding considerably as criminal justice jurisdictions seek to identify more efficient ways to process cases and reduce incarceration rates while enhancing public safety.