The Juvenile Diversion Counseling Program is administered by the District Attorney of the 23rd Judicial District, serving Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties. The program provides an alternative to prosecution in court for select juvenile offenders. The Juvenile Diversion Counseling Program uses therapeutic interventions, connection to community resources and restorative justice practices to address individual, family and community needs. Our primary goals are to provide accountability, identify and intervene to address contributing risk factors for offending behavior, and to increase the well-being of all participants.

The Juvenile Diversion Counseling Program applies a restorative justice model to resolving cases. Restorative justice requires participants to take accountability, understand their impact on others and the community, develop empathy, cultivate insight, and, finally, to make amends. The participant’s engagement in these steps is essential to successful completion of the Juvenile Diversion Counseling Program. We believe that participant’s ownership of the restorative justice process creates more impactful outcomes than a process of imposed consequences. As such, all participants in the Juvenile Diversion Counseling Program must participate in a restorative justice process as part of meeting their program requirements.

There is a one-time non-refundable administrative fee that must be paid in order to participate in Juvenile Diversion Counseling Program:

$150 for juvenile cases

Payment plans, waivers and limited financial support for external treatment providers for juveniles is also available.

You and your assigned counselor or case manager will create a treatment plan designed to address your risks and needs. Your treatment plan may include therapy (individual, family, group or experiential), substance use monitoring and/or treatment, and restorative justice practices. All participants in the Juvenile Diversion Counseling Program must also agree to and abide by the Diversion contract’s standard terms and conditions.

The answer to this question varies depending on the individual treatment plan of each participant. How quickly the goals of the plan are achieved is primarily driven by the participants themselves. The average length of participation in Juvenile Diversion Counseling Program is between 6 and 9 months.

Once you have completed the requirements of the Juvenile Diversion Counseling Program you will be given a letter of completion. If your case was filed into court, a motion to dismiss will also be filed. If you are a juvenile, your case will be eligible for expungement. You can access information on the expungement process here.

Yes. One of the mandatory conditions of the Juvenile Diversion Counseling Program is that you agree not to use any illegal drugs or alcohol, including marijuana, which is an illegal drug for minors in the State of Colorado. All participants complete an initial drug test to help determine whether substance abuse treatment will be included in your individualized plan. You will be required to pay for your own drug tests. You may request financial support for drug tests in some circumstances. Medical marijuana use is prohibited while in Diversion without the express written permission of the elected District Attorney or the Assistant District Attorney.

You will be given the opportunity to ask questions during an intake appointment as well.