ABSTRACT
Once a criminal suspect is arrested, he or she is “in the system.” After arrest, the suspect is brought to the jail and “booked.” He or she must see a magistrate, usually within 48 hours [ 1 ]. It is almost from this moment that a variety of opportunities for diversion may occur. Diversion from the system can occur in numerous ways. In an earlier chapter, we discussed bail and ROR programs that simply divert the defendant from spending time in jail while awaiting trial. Other forms of diversion completely replace any adjudication. Community corrections
refer to any form of correctional alternative that does not involve incarceration in prison. The term includes pretrial, posttrial, or postprison supervision. In Box 12.1 , we attempt to show the possible types of community-based correctional sentences that exist. We will discuss the pretrial diversion programs in this chapter, along with probation, the most common form of diversion from prison.
