While the State generally recommends jail, prison, or probation as sanctions for a criminal charge, there is another possible alternative: pre-trial intervention (PTI) or pre-trial diversion (PTD). This is something that is entirely up to the State to offer. A judge may accept a PTI offer, but cannot offer it themselves.
PTI is not offered to everyone. A PTI offer is generally (there are exceptions) offered to people who have never had other criminal charges. PTI can be offered on felony cases, but is generally reserved for minor crimes such as grand theft or possession of a controlled substance. Generally, violent crimes and second degree felonies are not given a PTI offer (though it is possible).
PTI is similar to probation, but it is not probation. A person is required to be supervised by a probation officer, whether county probation or Department of Corrections. The person may be required to do various things, largely depending on the offense, sometimes including community service, drug evaluation or treatment, classes, or pay restitution.
So what's so special about PTI? If a person facing criminal charges completes their term of PTI, then the State will drop the case. Legally, they will "administratively dismiss" the case. Successfully completing a pretrial intervention program is an excellent resolution to a criminal case. Completion of PTI allows an individual to maintain a clean criminal history. While the arrest will remain on the person's record, it can sometimes be expunged.
An experienced criminal defense attorney can review your case and give you an opinion on what your best course of action should be.
If you have further questions or would like a criminal defense attorney to review your case and give you an opinion on whether PTI is applicable to your criminal charges, please call us at (941) 444-5128. For more information about our criminal defense law firm and the services our defense lawyers provide, please visit our homepage here.
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