DA Rolls Out Innovative Juvenile Diversion Program to Keep Youth Out of the System
NEWS RELEASE: San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan today announced an ambitious new juvenile justice reform initiative designed to keep juveniles out of the criminal justice system while addressing the underlying cause of harmful behavior. The Juvenile Diversion Initiative (JDI) is a countywide early intervention program that prioritizes diversion options for youth instead of filing criminal charges. The goal is to reduce the number of youth who enter the juvenile justice system, engage the community and stakeholders in the youth’s rehabilitation, and address the causes of the their unsafe behavior while at the same time fostering accountability to crime victims and community. The District Attorney’s Office will work closely with the National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC) to implement and administer the JDI program