What are PTI (Diversion) Programs?
Diversion programs (Pre-Trial Intervention and Domestic Violence Intervention) are designed for individuals who have been accused of committing a third degree felony or a misdemeanor offense in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, or other area of Pinellas County. These programs provide an alternative to the three step process of entering a not guilty plea, proceeding to trial, and having a verdict entered by a jury. People who sucessfully complete a Pinellas County diversion program avoid the risk associated with a jury trial entirely, because the criminal charge pending against them is dismissed. Am I Eligible for Diversion? The Pinellas County State Attorney’s Office will typically approve our client’s application for participation in a diversion program, if the client has little or no prior criminal history. The written application prepared by our office can emphasize your lack of a significant prior criminal history, the minimal nature of the charge, or any other factors that make you an a
