Q – What is adult diversion?

Adult diversion is an out-of-court way to deal with some types of criminal offences.  It is often a possibility for minor criminal offences, where the accused has no prior criminal record, regrets the offence and is willing to take responsibility for what happened.  If you are eligible for, and successfully complete Adult Diversion, then the charges will be dropped and you will not get a criminal record for that offence.  Police and the Department of Justice will however keep a record that you went through Adult Diversion.
Adult Diversion may be available if you:

• were at least 18 when you committed the offence;
• are willing to accept responsibility for what happened;
• do not have a long youth record or adult criminal record;
• have not gone through Adult Diversion in the past 2 years.

Depending on the situation Adult Diversion may involve things like doing volunteer work, paying restitution, attending counselling, going to mediation or writing a letter of apology to the victim. Most people are referred to Adult Diversion by the police.  The Crown must agree that Adult Diversion is appropriate in the circumstances.