JDAI Site Updates
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| Harris County District Attorney Patricia Lykos |
Harris County Deferred Prosection Program
The JDAI site in Harris County (Houston), Texas, has a new non-petitioned deferred prosecution program that is expected to reduce filings of as many as 3,000-4,000 cases annually. It had been the practice of the district attorney’s office to file petitions on all misdemeanor B and above offenses requiring the youth to appear in court with an attorney. This resulted in large delinquency dockets in the juvenile courts.
A collaborative effort by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department will divert youth who commit nonviolent misdemeanor offenses to community supervision. After an initial screening by the district attorney's office, the probation department will contact the family and provide services. If youth successfully complete the program, no criminal charges will be filed.
"Implementation of this new diversion plan gives at-risk youngsters the opportunity to develop wise decision-making, to control their impulses and channel their energy into constructive pursuits. This is a rehabilitative program that will transform many young lives," said Patricia Lykos, Harris County district attorney.
For more information contact Harris County JDAI Coordinator Nancy Baird at nbaird@sbcglobal.net.
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