NCJ Number
54258
Date Published
1978
Length
12 pages
Annotation
THIS ACT PASSED BY THE SENATE (S.1819) CONCERNS CRIMINAL PROSECUTION FOR CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS CHARGED WITH OFFENSES AGAINST THE UNITED STATES AND IS KNOWN AS THE FEDERAL DIVERSION ACT OF 1978.
Abstract
THE ACT CONSTITUTES AN AMENDMENT TO TITLE 18 OF THE U.S. CODE BY THE ADDITION OF A CHAPTER THAT DEALS WITH DIVERSION (ADMISSION TO DIVERSION PROGRAMS, VOLUNTARINESS OF THE WAIVER OF RIGHTS, INADMISSIBILITY OF DIVERSION INFORMATION, CONTINUATION AND DISMISSAL OF CHARGES, TERMINATION, REVIEW, COMPLETION, WITHDRAWAL, DISTRICT PLANNING GROUPS, AND AUTHORITY OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL). DIVERSION PROGRAMS MAY INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING SERVICES: MEDICAL, EDUCATIONAL, VOCATIONAL, SOCIAL, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES; CORRECTIVE AND PREVENTIVE GUIDANCE, TRAINING, AND COUNSELING; PROVISION FOR RESIDENCE IN A HALFWAY HOUSE OR OTHER SUITABLE PLACE; RESTITUTION TO VICTIMS OF OFFENSES; AND UNCOMPENSATED SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY. IN CARRYING OUT PROVISIONS OF THE CHAPTER, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS TO REIMBURSE AGENCIES OF THE JUDICIAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT FOR THE COST OF SERVICES OFFERED BY THE U.S. PROBATION OFFICERS, PRETRIAL SERVICE OFFICERS, AND EMPLOYEES OTHER THAN JUDGES, MAGISTRATES, AND FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDERS. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS ALSO MANDATED TO ACQUIRE FACILITIES, SERVICES, AND MATERIALS TO IMPLEMENT THE PURPOSES OF THE CHAPTER, TO CONDUCT RESEARCH, TO PROVIDE FOR THE AUDIT OF FUNDS EXPENDED UNDER PROVISIONS OF THE CHAPTER, AND TO PROMOTE COOPERATION BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, LOCAL DIVERSION PROGRAMS, AND AGENCIES THAT PROVIDE EDUCATION, TRAINING, COUNSELING, LEGAL SERVICES, EMPLOYMENT, AND OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES. THE ACT WAS PASSED BY THE SENATE IN APRIL 1978.