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The State Court Solicitor’s office recently donated items received from the State Court Pre-Trial Diversion program to local non- profit centers.  The diversion program gives low-level offenders, first time offenders, or offenders whose victims may be more damaged by a criminal sentence the opportunity to resolve their case without developing a criminal record. The offenders case will be held in abeyance while they complete community service, anger management classes, obtain mental health treatment or attend a batterer’s intervention program.  If an offender works a full time job and is not able to complete community service, the program allows them to buy out their community service by donating items that are then distributed to local non-profit organizations.

According to Solicitor General Sandra Taylor, the program has been in existence for several years and it has been beneficial to offenders and community non-profits alike.  Typical donations include diapers, wipes, clothing and personal hygiene products, which are always needed by local agencies for their participants, who are themselves often times victims of crime.  Taylor said that the goal of the program is to adapt people from a criminal lifestyle to that of a productive member of society. Solicitor Taylor believes the program emphasizes the importance of giving back to the community.

The result of the program, if properly completed by the offender, helps them to not have a criminal record.  Hopefully, they will learn from the mistakes they have made and they will be able to move forward with their lives in a more positive way.

The local non-profit programs who benefited from the latest donations include Branches of Hope and the LaGrange Pregnancy Center.