Significant Results in Prior Programs
The Sacramento District Attorney's Office was one of the first
counties to implement these programs. They first implemented
the Delayed Entry Of Judgment (DEJ) program under a pilot project.
After six months they began the Deferral Of Charges (DOC) process
so as to maximize the effects of the program. Sacramento did
a study with the available data after a year of operation. The
research took a sample of the offenders and researched their
records. It was determined that 33% of the sample population
repeated or committed a new offense within 1 year. The same
number of people with like crimes were tracked for a period
of 2 years and it was determined that those people who had been
given the opportunity to participate in the alternative prosecution
programs, only 11% committed anther crime. The findings showed
a 22% reduction in recidivism, which is significant. This stands
to show that the program is having an impact on the people who
are given the opportunity to participate. Most people are very
concerned about the criminal justice process. However, once
an individual has been through the process a number of times
they become desensitized to the system. This is why the program
has such an impact on people. Let's face it, this probably is
not the first time these people have committed crimes, but it
is the first time that they have been caught and now we are
in a great position to make a significant impact upon them.
Statistical Data Based on Programs in Other Counties
Based on studies of Sacramento and Los Angeles, the numbers are consistent. Of the defendants that were referred to the program, 76% of them enrolled in the program. Of the 76%, 96% successfully completed the program. These numbers are based on the DOC program format. Our system has a much better success record compared to other programs because we take all of the defendant's excuses for not being able to participate away from them. In addition to our better success record, the defendants walk away with a more positive attitude and a much better understanding of themselves and the system.
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