What are diversionary options?
Ayoung person who gets into trouble with the law should be diverted from the criminal justice system if this is appropriate. There are four diversionary options available: • taking no action • cautioning • youth justice conferencing • drug diversion The police must consider these options instead of court. In deciding what to do the police must think about: • the offence you have committed • your previous criminal history • whether you have had the benefit of a diversionary option in the past What does ‘taking no action’ mean? The police might take no action for a first or minor offence. It is like an informal cautioning. What is a caution? A caution is a formal warning given by a police officer instead of charging you. Once a caution is given the matter is finished. A caution is more likely to be used for minor offences. The cautioning process must include: • you telling the police that you did it (or admitting your guilt) and agreeing to being cautioned • a support person being presen
