Louis A. Bianchi, McHenry County State’s Attorney, announces that the first group of six participants of the First Offender diversion program are scheduled to graduate this month.
The First Offender program was developed to preserve judicial resources by reducing the number of felony cases before the criminal courts while rehabilitating offenders with little or no criminal history.
Defendants charged with non-violent, non-drug related offenses may apply for the program and request to have an independent panel of citizens decide their punishment outside of court.
Conditions may include public service, drug and alcohol counseling, anger management counseling, completion of a GED or other educational program, restitution to a victim for damages, a fine and any other terms deemed appropriate by the panel.
Participants who successfully complete the conditions graduate from the program and have their charges dismissed. Participants who who fail to complete the conditions, return to felony courtrooms and face felony convictions.
Since the program’s inception on September 1, 2010, 75 applicants have been admitted to the program, $61,683 has been collected in restitution for victims and 2,655 hours of public service work has been assigned. Only four participants have been terminated from the program due to non-compliance. Susan VanDiggelen, of the State’s Attorney’s Office serves as the Program Coordinator.
The First Offender program was developed to preserve judicial resources by reducing the number of felony cases before the criminal courts while rehabilitating offenders with little or no criminal history.
Defendants charged with non-violent, non-drug related offenses may apply for the program and request to have an independent panel of citizens decide their punishment outside of court.
Conditions may include public service, drug and alcohol counseling, anger management counseling, completion of a GED or other educational program, restitution to a victim for damages, a fine and any other terms deemed appropriate by the panel.
Participants who successfully complete the conditions graduate from the program and have their charges dismissed. Participants who who fail to complete the conditions, return to felony courtrooms and face felony convictions.
Since the program’s inception on September 1, 2010, 75 applicants have been admitted to the program, $61,683 has been collected in restitution for victims and 2,655 hours of public service work has been assigned. Only four participants have been terminated from the program due to non-compliance. Susan VanDiggelen, of the State’s Attorney’s Office serves as the Program Coordinator.
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