By: Richard L. Smith
The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office (ACPO) has announced the creation of a Diversion Unit aimed at providing alternative outcomes for qualifying defendants.
According to information released by the ACPO, the initiative is designed to reduce crime and recidivism, alleviate court backlogs, and offer defendants the opportunity for rehabilitation rather than imprisonment.
The new unit, supported by Atlantic County Administration, includes one Chief Assistant Prosecutor, two Assistant Prosecutor, and a grant-funded law intern. The Diversion Unit will oversee five programs; additional initiatives are planned as resources expand.
The programs include:
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Pretrial Intervention (PTI): First-time offenders, typically charged with third- or fourth-degree crimes, may have charges dismissed after 12 to 36 months of law-abiding behavior. Conditions for enrollment may include restitution, substance abuse treatment, or mental health therapy.
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Recovery Court: Formerly known as a drug court, this program provides substance abuse treatment as part of a probationary sentence. Successful completion of a three- to five-year term may result in expungement.
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Mental Health Court: Established by ACPO before a 2024 statewide rollout, this program allows defendants with significant mental health diagnoses to receive treatment in exchange for reduced or dismissed charges.
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At-Risk Initiative (ARI): This program targets lower-level offenders who commit repetitive crimes, such as burglary or shoplifting. Participants receive non-custodial sentences contingent on compliance with treatment recommendations addressing substance abuse or mental health.
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Alternative Prosecution for Positive Outcomes (APPO): This innovative, grant-funded program partners with the nonprofit Wellbeing & Equity Innovations (WEI). Eligible offenders can have charges downgraded or dismissed by completing six months of trauma-informed therapeutic treatment. The program has successfully graduated several adult participants and will expand to include juveniles in 2025.
Atlantic County Prosecutor William E. Reynolds emphasized the importance of these programs, stating, “When I was a municipal prosecutor, I saw thousands of indictable cases remanded to local municipal courts. This failed to protect the interests of the community and the defendants, who were given neither opportunities for treatment nor meaningful consequences for their conduct.”
By implementing the Diversion Unit, the ACPO aims to provide defendants with pathways toward personal growth and community safety while reducing the burden on the criminal justice system.