Pre-Trial Intervention
The Pre-Trial Intervention program is a diversion program, which is ordered to certain offenders who qualify for participation as an alternative to prosecution. Participants receive coordinated assistance in educational and vocational referrals, personal and group counseling, and referrals to other community agencies appropriate to their needs. The program is designed to meet the needs of certain nonviolent offenders as an attempt to deter their future criminal or disorderly behavior and to minimize loss to victims through payment of restitution by the offender.
About the Program
Active participation in the program may last six to twelve months; however, the exact duration of a defendant’s participation is dependent on the seriousness of the offense, the attitude of the individual, and how well the participant met the program goal as determined by the director.
Eligibility
To be eligible for participation in the Pre-trial Intervention Program, an individual must meet the following criteria:
- Limited to nonviolent crimes
- First time offenders
Offenders meeting the criteria are referred to the program following a review of the pending charges by an Assistant District Attorney. After an inquiry is made of the offender's prior criminal record, a letter is sent to the offender requesting that an appointment be scheduled. At this appointment, the offender is interviewed and given an overview of the program. The offender then decides to participate in the program or go to court. The final decision as to the acceptability of an offender for the program is made by the Pre-trial Intervention Program director.
Contact
District Attorney's Pre-trial Intervention Program
Courthouse Building Room 203-A
P.O. Box 639
Amite, LA 70422
(985) 284-2121
