A brief history of Court Diversion in Vermont and in Addison County
The Court Diversion program in Vermont was originally funded in 1979 with federal money, disbursed by the Vermont Commission on the Administration of Justice. The Turrell Fund of New Jersey provided additional funding for the development of the programs. Seven pilot Court Diversion projects were initiated throughout the state. The success of those pilot projects led to the availability of Court Diversion in every county and the formation of a statewide association of court diversion programs (Vermont Association of Court Diversion Programs).
In 1980, the Vermont Legislature voted to fund Diversion for first-time juvenile offenders. By 1982, several programs began handling adult first-time offenders as well. All programs accept juvenile and adult referrals now.
Rather than being a branch of the Attorney General’s office, the Diversion programs were organized as separate non-profit corporations in each county, partly funded by the state and accountable to the office of the Vermont Attorney General. This system provides for maximum local control by each Board of Directors.
The Addison County Court Diversion Program was incorporated in July of 1980 as a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation and changed its name to Addison County Court Diversion & Community Justice Projects, Inc. in February 2000 to reflect the addition of other restorative justice programming
In 1980, the Vermont Legislature voted to fund Diversion for first-time juvenile offenders. By 1982, several programs began handling adult first-time offenders as well. All programs accept juvenile and adult referrals now.
Rather than being a branch of the Attorney General’s office, the Diversion programs were organized as separate non-profit corporations in each county, partly funded by the state and accountable to the office of the Vermont Attorney General. This system provides for maximum local control by each Board of Directors.
The Addison County Court Diversion Program was incorporated in July of 1980 as a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation and changed its name to Addison County Court Diversion & Community Justice Projects, Inc. in February 2000 to reflect the addition of other restorative justice programming