The Georgia Pretrial Diversion Program, also known as the Pretrial Intervention Program or simply PTI, is a supervised program designed to help first-time offenders avoid having their cases go to trial, and to not end up with a permanent criminal record that a lot of employers may find out about. Diversion includes submitting to random drug tests, performing community service, completing drug treatment, and possibly paying court fines. People facing either misdemeanor or felony charges can apply – usually a felony involves first-time drug possession.
The benefits of PTI for our clients who qualify for an intervention or drug diversion program include:
- Avoiding the cost and complications of a trial (less than 5% of our clients’ cases ever make it all the way to a trial)
- Avoiding embarrassing job interviews
- A clean criminal record since your charge will not appear
It is important to understand that you must complete the GA diversion program to avoid a trial, and to have the charges against you dropped.
How Do I Know if I Qualify for the Diversion Program?
Not everyone facing criminal charges in Georgia is eligible to participate in PTI pretrial intervention program. An eligible participant must:
- Have no prior criminal record
- Be at least 17 years of age
Juveniles and those with prior arrests or convictions do not qualify. Also, all DUI cases and a lot of traffic violation cases do not have an alternate sentencing option. Intervention programs are more common in cases involving first offender marijuana possession, shoplifting (stolen goods), simple assault, domestic violence, battery, and disorderly conduct.
Is There Only One Diversion Program in Georgia?
No. Each larger county or city will have their own alternative sentencing program, for example the Cobb County Georgia pretrial diversion, Fulton County pretrial diversion, and the Gwinnett County pretrial diversion programs. Our 3 highly-reviewed criminal defense attorneys are well-versed in every county’s program and the specific requirements of each.
Is Pretrial Intervention Right for Your Case?
Our clients ask us many great questions about the diversion program, including:
How much is PTI? How do I pay for it?
What is a pre trial diversion program?
How long does pretrial diversion last?
What happens pretrial diversion?
The first step in applying for pre-trial intervention is for your criminal defense attorney to file an application on your behalf. This will only be done if your attorney and you decide it’s the best route to take.
To learn more about the PTI program in Georgia and whether it can help you avoid lifelong consequences, schedule a free consultation today with Larry Kohn, Cory Yager, or Bubba Head. Once our attorneys gather more information about you and your pending case, they will discuss the availability of the program and if it is the right path for you.
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