Criminal Defense Matters

Criminal Defense Matters


Criminal Defense Matters

GA Pretrial Diversion | Pretrial Intervention Program

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.

GA Pretrial Intervention Diversion Lawyer

DISCLAIMER AND PRIVACY POLICY

The information you obtain at this web site, related videos, image resources, Facebook, Twitter or other social media content, or blog postings is not, nor is it intended to be or provide, legal advice from a Georgia lawyer. This page is designed to help you find legal information, learn the basics about any criminal offense or court case in the state of Georgia, and then search for attorneys near me for your representation in GA.

You are well advised to consult an attorney for legal advice regarding your individual situation, and to obtain targeting help from an experienced lawyer in the community. Our Georgia lawyers invite you to peruse our site for answers to FAQs, charts, graphics and explanation of legal terms about Georgia laws. Then, call today about our legal services. 

Our attorneys in Atlanta can interview you in person, or remotely via cell phone video conference or computer laptop or desktop interview. Our law group welcomes your email communication, chat responses, phone calls, letters and electronic mail, so that we can try to be of service in the areas of criminal defense when you contact us. 

 Our law office maintains a strict privacy policy, and (if you don’t retain one of our Georgia attorneys) our law firm staff will shred your paperwork. Contacting us (through any communication method) does not create an attorney-client relationship until a fee agreement is signed and you hire a legal professional with our legal team.

Please do not send any confidential information to our GA attorneys through this website portal until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established and all terms and conditions or our retainer contact are agreed upon. If needed, clients may request a payment plan with our criminal justice attorney for payment of your legal fees.

Copyright 2020, by William C. Head. All rights reserved.