{"id":352263,"date":"2023-12-03T03:01:21","date_gmt":"2023-12-03T08:01:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/deferred-adjudication-pretrial-diversion.html"},"modified":"2025-12-03T11:33:53","modified_gmt":"2025-12-03T16:33:53","slug":"deferred-adjudication-pretrial-diversion","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/deferred-adjudication-pretrial-diversion.html","title":{"rendered":"What Are Deferred Adjudication and Pretrial Diversion?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Are Deferred Adjudication and Pretrial Diversion?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Sarah Williams, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Balrina Ahluwalia, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Deferred adjudication<\/span> and pretrial diversion<\/span> are programs that result in the dismissal of a criminal case<\/span>. When the defendant successfully completes specified conditions, the charges are dismissed with no conviction or jail time<\/span>.\u00a0Only certain types of offenses<\/span> qualify.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Deferred adjudication<\/span> requires the defendant to first plead either guilty or no contest<\/span> to the charge. Pretrial diversion<\/span> does not require a plea.<\/p>\n

Alternative sentencing programs are typically used for low-level criminal offenses, such as\u00a0drug offenses,<\/a>\u00a0domestic disputes, or for first-time offenders<\/span>. The conditions imposed may include:<\/p>\n