Chittenden County Court Diversion Program is a restorative, voluntary, confidential alternative to the formal court process for both juvenile and adult first time offenders. A Review Board of volunteers from throughout Chittenden County listens to each client’s case and decides whether or not the case is appropriate for the program. If the Review Board accepts the client, they design a contract specifically for the case. Contracts often include an apology and restitution to the victim in the case, community service, a donation to charity, a paper, or an alcohol/drug evaluation and/or counseling where there are substance abuse issues. The program has been created and designed to encourage a sense of responsibility on the part of first time offenders for their criminal activity. Upon successful completion of all the contract terms, the State’s Attorney is notified and the criminal charges are dismissed, resulting in a clean criminal record for the client.
Keywords: Restorative Justice, Offender, Client, Victim, Offender, Criminal Justice, Criminal, Court, Diversion, Alternative, Voluntary, Volunteer, Juvenile, Adult, Confidential,
Interview Q&A
How long have you been in business?
Almost 30 years. 2009 will be the 30th anniversary of Court Diversion in the state of Vermont.
What is your primary product or service?
Providing a restorative, alternative process to the Court system for low-level offenders in an effort to reduce the likliehood of recidivism.
How did you first become interested in your line of business? (if owner) - What is your background? (If owner or store manager)
N/A
How do you differentiate yourself from other businesses in your category and area?
Chittenden County Court Diversion occupies a very specific niche in the Criminal Justice continuum. We are a post-charge, pre-adjudication program for low level offenders in the Chittenden County area. We use volunteers from the local community on our Review Board panels but paid staff, usually with criminal justice backgrounds as case managers. We are a different entity to Community Justice Centers and Reparative Boards.
How many locations do you have and do you have plans to expand?
There is a Court Diversion in every county in Vermont, it will usually be situated in the largest urban development within that county. For Chittenden County, the office is located in Burlington.
Provide detailed directions to your location
We are on the corner of South Winooski and King Street in Burlington. If you approach the junction of South Winooski and King Street on foot, take a right onto King Street and walk about 40 feet along the side of the red brick building. There is an alleyway that runs down the back of the building to the Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS) Daystation. We are the first glass door, right on the corner.
What type of payments do you accept?
Cash and money order only. No personal or business checks and no credit/debit cards.
Which areas do you service?
Chittenden County
Who owns your company or runs daily operations?
Andy Twite is the Executive Director.
What are your hours of operation?
Monday - Friday: 8am - 5pm
Contact Chittenden County Court Diversion:
