Crimes: diversion.

Existing law authorizes a city or county prosecuting attorney or county probation department to create a diversion or deferred entry of judgment program for persons who commit a theft offense or repeat theft offenses, as specified. This bill would also allow the program to be conducted by a county department providing pretrial or health care services or a nonprofit contract agency. The bill would define theft offenses for purposes of the program. Existing law authorizes a judge in the superior court in which a misdemeanor is being prosecuted to, at the judge's discretion, offer diversion to a defendant for a period not to exceed 24 months. This bill would expand that authorization to include any cases being prosecuted, as specified. The bill would require a court that offers diversion pursuant to these provisions to assess whether to order the individual to participate in specified programs.