Juvenile diversion programs are programs that are used by the juvenile justice system to allow a juvenile offender to not necessarily have to go through the formal process of the juvenile court. In Philadelphia, for example, say at the most early stage in the process, a juvenile may be able to divert his or her case through what's called the Youth Aid Panel where juvenile by agreement, would agree to certain conditions if they were to successfully complete these conditions in terms, be it continue to go to school, listen at home, stay out of further trouble. The case wouldn't even go to the juvenile court.
If the case were to go through the juvenile court, court can use different methods to not have the young person adjudicated delinquent. For example, they could use what's called a deferred adjudication or a consent decree where the court would supervise the juvenile and provide resources to help the juvenile succeed. The juvenile would be expected to go to school, do as well as possible in school, listen at home, stay out of further trouble and in doing so, the case would be withdrawn at that later time so that the person could avoid a record or an adjudication of delinquency.
Having an experienced Pennsylvania juvenile defense attorney will help your family and your loved one best understand and navigate the juvenile process.
