Wayne County Prosecutor Screening & District Courts Division
Wayne County Prosecutor
Screening & District Courts Division
Diversion Section
The Diversion Unit was reestablished by Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy for first-time offenders not to have a permanent criminal record. Diversion is available for first-time offenders charged with a non assaultive felony. Defendants with a limited, non assaultive misdemeanor or juvenile contacts will also be considered for the Diversion program. Diversion applications are made after the preliminary examination, on the date of the Arraignment on the Information (AOI). Full restitution is required for acceptance into the Diversion program. Diversion is never guaranteed. The decision to accept or deny Diversion status to any defendant is entirely within the discretion of the Prosecutor's Office. Many considerations are taken into account to determine if a particular case or defendant is eligible for Diversion status.
Contact Information
| Deputy Chief Diversion |
William Heaphy
Wayne County Prosecutor's Office
Frank Murphy Hall of Justice
10th Floor
1441 St. Antoine
Detroit, Michigan 48226
(313) 224-2887
|
| Principal Attorney Diversion |
Bradley Cobb
Wayne County Prosecutor's Office
Frank Murphy Hall of Justice
10th Floor
1441 St. Antoine
Detroit, Michigan 48226
(313) 224-8811 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is Pre-Trial Diversion?
A. Pre-Trial Diversion is a program designed to allow an opportunity for a certain class of first-time felony offenders to avoid conviction. The program operates similar to probation in that there is constant monitoring of participants during their time on diversion. Experienced assistant prosecuting attorneys usually screen applicants at their first circuit court appearance. Background information including verification of the applicant's criminal history is obtained to assist with that screening. The decision whether to accept an applicant is entirely at the discretion of the screening assistant prosecuting attorney.
Q. What class of first-time offenders is eligible for Diversion?
A. In general, Diversion is available to first-time offenders who have been charged with non-violent offenses. The majority of these cases involve the theft or fraud of small amounts of money or property.
Q. What are some of the requirements for participants in Diversion?
A. Participants must pay full restitution, perform extensive community service, and report to Diversion personnel once a month as part of their requirements for continued participation. Participants must also remain crime-free and drug-free throughout their period on Diversion.
Q. What happens if a Diversion participant violates any of those requirements?
A. Any participant in Diversion who fails to comply with the rules of the program faces revocation of his/her status and the case proceeds back to the trial courts for further disposition.
Q. What happens at the end of a participant's term of Diversion?
A.At the successful conclusion of a participant's term in the program, his/her case is dismissed.
Kym L. Worthy
1200 Frank Murphy
1441 St. Antoine
Detroit, MI 48226
Ph: (313) 224-5777
Fx: (313) 224-0974