NJ Diversion Program Video
“This video on NJ Pretrial Intervention explains how we can use diversionary programs to avoid criminal charges and a trial altogether.”
PTI Defense Lawyers in Morris County, Essex County, Bergen County NJ
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Pre Trial Intervention in the world of lawyers and judges is known as a “Diversionary Program”. Basically, the court is trying to give you a different option OTHER Than going through the process of a trial. That means that the judge and prosecutor might just be willing to OVERLOOK the entire incident that you got yourself into, and you might just be able to get a fresh start.
You’re going to have to pay some money, and you are going to have to STAY OUT OF TROUBLE for a period of time. But, if you do all that (and pass any drug tests), the state will basically wipe the slate clean. You will have no record of the charge and certainly no criminal record. However, there WILL be a record of your arrest.
On the bright side, this won’t show up on job searches but it will show up if you end up in court again. If you have an issue with that, after a certain period of time (usually about 6 months), you can get this expunged from your record.
I can handle any “expungements” that you might need.
The PTI Process in New Jersey
The Pre-Trial Intervention program (known as “PTI) is a first time offender program for Superior Court (felony) charges. It is usually reserved for third and fourth degree felony level offenses. If you have no prior criminal convictions, have never used a diversion program before, and are charged with a third or fourth degree crime, then you should be eligible for PTI. However, remember, this is a one-time only program so if you use it now, you will never be able to use it again in the future if need be. You make an application to the probation department, pay the $75 application fee, and do a PTI interview. This is done by a member of the probation department in the county in which you are charged. Probation then does a PTI writeup and recommendation to the court and the prosecutor about whether or not they think you are a good candidate for the program. If they do, and the prosecutor agrees, then you will be placed into PTI.
To place you into PTI, the prosecutor drafts a PTI order which contains your charges, and the conditions of your PTI probation. There are standard conditions for everyone in PTI (like don’t get arrested for anything else, comply with your probation officer, etc.) and then there are special conditions of PTI which can be community service, drug testing, any counseling or evaluations, restitution that may be owed, etc. You must comply with all your PTI conditions during your probation (which will be 1-3 years) and then the charges will be dropped at the end. If you have all your conditions completed halfway through your PTI term, your lawyer can file a motion to have your PTI terminated early.
Once you complete PTI, you have no criminal record. You do still have an arrest record though. There is a 6 month waiting period, and then you can apply to expunge (remove) the arrest.
For more information on the PTI program in New Jersey, contact our NJ PTI defense lawyers at 201-556-1571.
The first video is an overview on marijuana law:
These Videos are about fighting charges:
Challenging The Motor Vehicle Stop
Challenge Chain Of Custody
Challenge The Lab Reports
Challenging Your “Possession” of Marijuana
Challenging Illegal Searches
The last two are about Diversionary Programs that can take care of your charges entirely:
Conditional Discharge
Pre Trial Intervention
